Nice enough wine here as to not offend but pretty straightforward to the tune of a house style sparkling wine?
Revisited the climate change discussion ect and how the region is always next up. Is say this wine which I have no basis on is just fine for retail. Has the proper nose of champagne but really falls off a bit on the palate completely.
(Also took a 2013 Jamet which was showing amazing potential but not near ready imo)
I think that’s a bit unfair. English fizz is priced at about the same level as entry level champagne (let’s say ~US$25-50 retail). And for me the better ones are comparable with champagne at that price range. Is England producing ~US$200 champagne yet? No.
Chapel Down and Rathfinny are two estates whose fizzes I have enjoyed.
It is fine but prices are too high and quality for now is not there. I think they need time to rein in the quality, winemaking etc. They are planting vineyards in multiple places however my guess is they are still trying to find the best places/soils etc. I have already seen significant progress compared to 10 years ago. The region needs time though
Doesn’t say much. Bordeaux classification of crus classés also came into being before Covid.
I can remember seeing English fizz hyped for some 15 years. Unlike with Robert, not since the beginning of time, but that might be only because I happen to live on the periphery of civilization.
However, I’ve had some very impressive English sparklers. Most of the wines tend to be underwhelming and/or overpriced, but every now and then a bottle manages to impress.
I think Digby is pretty good. Definitely among the better performers. I left the UK in 2010 and at that time things were pretty dire - all hope and hype and just a few people showing that it was possible. Things have improved a lot since then and will continue to do so. There’s a lot of odd stuff out there still though. Prices are obviously high for the quality but of course they are. Give it time and they will get there. I wasn’t always confident in that, but I am now.
I wish I shared your view. I have yet to have an English sparkling wine that I felt was worth the price. But its semi self-fulfilling because I stopped buying them or seeking them out for that reason. Your statement that the “better ones are comparable with Champagne” isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement.
