9 Bulgarian Wines You Have To Try

Bulgaria is a lesser-known wine territory, with ancient winemaking traditions, and as such may be classified as part of the new world wine movement that consumers are slowly discovering. If you were to mention Bulgarian wines to many people, it is likely that they might not have tried Bulgarian wines before and would be surprised to learn of its winemaking history and background with over 260 registered winemakers!

In 1878, Bulgaria's wine renaissance began following the country's freedom from the Ottoman Empire and in 1980, Bulgaria was recognised as the Eastern Block’s largest wine producer. These days, there are more opportunities to try Bulgarian wines due to a greater focus on the promotion of wines from Central and Eastern Europe. Indeed, there was a Slow Wine Fair in Bulgaria in 2024, the inaugural edition of the Ultimate Central and Eastern European Wine Fair took place in London in June 2024 and, of course, there is the annual International Mavrud Day celebrated on 26 October. In the UK, many of these wines are available through The Jolly Merchants, formerly The Old Cellar, which is a specialist importer and distributor focusing on Bulgaria and the Balkan's winemaking regions.

Within Bulgaria, the wines produced are divided into regions and presently there are two official appellations recognised as Protected Geographical Indications (PGIs) - the Danubian Plains and the Thracian Lowlands, which includes the Thracian Valley.  But there is an increased need for greater diversity and as such there is a movement between winemakers, producers and the Bulgarian Association of Wine Professionals to establish more appellations including Rose Valley, Struma Valley and the Black Sea Coast, for example. There are many varieties of grapes found within Bulgaria ranging from indigenous varieties such as Dimyat, Gamza, Mavrud, Melnik, Red Misket and Rubin alongside international varieties that we may all know such as Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. We will therefore take you on this wine journey across Bulgaria to discover its wider range of appellations and grape varieties – are you ready?

Danubian Plains

Did you know that it was the wines from the Northwest of Bulgaria that first sparked international interest in the Bulgarian wine industry? This area contains remarkable, diverse terroirs with an overall continental climate with the norm being for the region to have heavy, cold winters but dry summers. You can find both red and white grape varieties within the Danubian Plains including Rubin and White Misket, whilst Gamza is also a popular grape variety for the region.

The Black Sea Coast is currently also included within the Danubian Plains appellation, but this may change should the appeal for wider appellations be approved. This region covers the North East of Bulgaria with the Black Sea and the Balkans Mountains forming part of the geographical diversity. The region tends to have mild winters which makes this a popular wine tourism location. White wines are popular on the Black Sea Coast, for example Dimyat, Misket and Chardonnay but red wine drinkers need not fear as you can also find wines produced from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir.

We have also selected some wines that you can try from the Danubian Plains appellation – let’s dive in!

Pét-Nat Riesling Extra Brut 2023, Tsarev Brod Winery, Black Sea Coast

Did you know that Pét-Nat is an abbreviation for the French term pétillant naturel, which means naturally sparkling? This is a semi-sparkling wine celebrating the trend towards having natural wines and Pét-Nat uses the Ancestral method of wine production which means that the wine is bottled before the completion of the first fermentation which is vastly different to the traditional method used for champagne and other sparkling wines that have a second fermentation in the bottle. This wine has also been aged for 4 months in the bottle.

The Tsarev Brod Winery planted its first vines, as part of a project in 2001 and these days offers both virtual and in person wine tasting sessions, which will be ideal for those curious about Bulgarian wines. This wine focuses on the Riesling grape variety and has small bubbles with a sweet pear and biscuity aroma on the nose. It is slightly cloudy, as expected for a natural wine, but has an unsweetened, dry, slightly acidic, apple tasting flavour profile but is light enough to be ideal as that aperitif on a summer’s day watching some polo matches!

ABV: 11.5%
Size: 750ml 
Find here: £19.99

Cabernet Franc Kavarna Single Vineyard 2022, Odessos Urban Winery, Black Sea Coast

Two brothers from the Vankov family founded this winery which is one of the first urban wineries in Bulgaria. Their aim is to represent the elements from the Black Sea Coast region within their winemaking. 2020 saw the launch of their first vintage and since then they have expanded the amount of grape varieties that they use. Their 2021 vintage of the Cabernet Franc wine had featured within the Top 50 Best Bulgarian wines by DiVino and the wine was also the winner of a silver prize award at the Decanter World Wine Awards. It is therefore unsurprising that the winery has been described as a rising star within the Bulgarian wine industry. Odessos Urban Winery is located close to the Black Sea Coast and the vines that they use are approximately 10 years old and the grapes are hand picked.

This wine is made from 100% Cabernet Franc grape, although this grape is quite often blended with Bordeaux grapes, and has minimal intervention. It is a medium bodied wine of a light ruby colour and has been aged in both Bulgarian oak barrels and stainless steel tanks. As such, there are instantly detectable spicy smells combined with blackcurrants and it is dry on the palate with balanced acidity and an unsweetened chocolate or Black Forest gateau flavour profile evoking that impression of a cherry base. Pair this with cheddar cheese for a wine and cheese night as the nights become cooler.

ABV: 13%
Size: 750ml 
Find here: £24.50

Gomotartzi Chardonnay 2020, Bononia Estate, Danube Plain

This is an award winning 100% Chardonnay wine which has collected the bronze in the Decanter 2022 Awards and the silver in the 2022 Chardonnay du Monde awards. The Gomotartzi Chardonnay is produced in the Danube Plain, which is Bulgaria’s second official appellation. The Bononia Estate is located along the banks of the Danube and with an onsite hotel it is a perfect wine tourism destination.

This vintage’s drinking window is up to the year 2026 and it is best served chilled. This is an unoaked Chardonnay, you will be pleased to know, and has a gooseberry aroma on the nose similar to a Sauvignon Blanc with hints of green apple. It is a zesty, crisp Chardonnay with a pronounced intensity and medium finish which will pair well with crab toast and amuses-bouches.

ABV: 13.5%
Size: 750ml 
Find here: £18.99

Thracian Lowlands

The Thracian Valley region contains a diverse soil type plus it is a culturally rich area combined with high winds, which will benefit the wine making process overall. Numerous wineries can be found in this location offering different styles ranging from the traditional to new age wines. Highly recommended wines from this region include sparkling wines as well as some outstanding red wines. Surprisingly, the most widely used grape variety appears to be Merlot, closely followed by Cabernet Sauvignon within this region.

The Rose Valley is probably the smallest wine region in Bulgaria, which also includes the fascinating city of Plovdiv. The popular indigenous Mavrud grape variety can be found within this location, which is a versatile, sophisticated wine. Another popular grape variety for this region is the Red Misket. The Rose Valley is an exclusive region, given its small number of wineries, but it is surrounded by the Balkan mountains and it is a popular region for rose flowers, of course.

Struma Valley is located to the Southwest of Bulgaria and tends to be another popular wine tourism destination. Here, is where the majority of the wine production of the Melnik grape variety occurs. As it is a hilly region, there are optimal conditions for the grapes alongside a warm, Mediterranean climate. Therefore, many tourist attractions can be enjoyed within Struma Valley. The region has an ever growing number of wineries that may also provide accommodation should you be following the Bulgarian wine route. 

Here are some wines that you can try at home or when travelling within Bulgaria from this Thracian Lowlands region – let’s explore further!

Melnik 55 2022, Logodaj Winery, Struma Valley

The Melnik region along the Struma River is one of the smaller wine producing areas within Southwestern Bulgaria. The Logodaj Winery was founded in 1994 and is situated in the middle of historically significant cities and focuses on growing native Bulgarian varieties such as Melnik 55 as well as some international grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. Did you know that Melnik 55 was apparently a favourite grape variety of Sir Winston Churchill?!

The Early Melnik Vine aka Melnik 55 is a blend of the Broad Leaf Melnik and pollen from other varieties. This variety typically ripens towards the end of September and may therefore naturally be sweeter.  However, this is a fruit forward, off-dry wine with gentle oak barrel maturation. This Melnik 55 has a raisin, dried fruit aroma and may invoke impressions of a fruit cake aroma. It is a ruby red colour, medium bodied with tobacco, juicy red cherry, blackcurrants and spice within its flavour profile to make this a smooth, very quaffable wine with a medium finish. It is a definite crowd pleaser and would be the wine to bring to introduce friends and family to Bulgarian wines and impress them with its versatility.

ABV: 14%
Size: 750ml 
Find here: £17

AXL Rose Valley Misket 2023, Chateau Copsa, Rose Valley

Despite its name, this wine has no connection to the Guns N’ Roses lead singer bearing a similar stage name! Instead, the Château Copsa winery was founded by the Minkov family in 1998 and its building certainly resembles a castle with impressive stone towers and houses its own winery!

This wine is made from 100% Red Misket grapes, which is typical for the Rose Valley, and this vintage has a drinking window up to 2027. This Misket wine is part of a limited release from this indigenous grape variety, with just 1300 bottles produced, and has been hand harvested. It is a dry, medium bodied white wine with hints of floral aromas as well as a fruity, pear aroma on the nose. There are stone fruits on the palate and overall this is an easy drinking, smooth, tangy but balanced wine. 

You can also experience the beauty of the Rose Valley region and absorb the aromas from the nearby rose and lavender fields. There is a French ambience too, with onsite accommodation, for those seeking an unspoilt holiday destination for that secret escape.

ABV: 13%
Size: 750ml 
Find here: £17 - 2023 vintage available September 2024 onwards

Villa Melnik Orange Wine 2020, Thracian Valley

Villa Melnik is a Southwestern family owned vineyard that specialises in being a gravity flow vineyard. There is an emphasis on using local grapes and therefore this orange wine is a blend of the locally grown Bulgarian Keratsunda grape variety and Sauvignon Blanc. This orange wine has skin contact for a few weeks to create that orange hue and is fermented in stainless steel tanks. There is a pleasant fruitiness to this dry wine which is aromatic with a natural wine profile and would work well with cheesy pasta dishes. The winery is also open every day for those wine tours and tastings.

ABV: 12%
Size: 750ml 
Find here: £26.95

Pink Side of Rubin Rosé 2022, Georgiev/Milkov, Thracian Valley

This wine has been produced by the young winemakers Georgiev and Milkov who started their project in 2014 and sought to highlight indigenous Bulgarian grapes, such as Rubin and Mavrud on the international stage. Their efforts led to them finding a 40 year old vineyard that had Rubin grapes and the rest, as they say, is history! Rubin was created in 1944 as a blend of Syrah and Nebbiolo – did you know?

This wine has been aged for 4 months in French barrels and has a refreshing, floral and elegant profile. The drinking window for this vintage is up to 2026. It is a salmon pink Provençal style colour with strawberries on the nose and medium intensity but it is dry on the palate and would pair well with almonds for a summer picnic.

ABV: 12.5%
Size: 750ml 
Find here: £21.05

Yuli's Shiraz, 2021, Thracian Valley

Yuli’s is a family run winery that has a history of winemaking in Southwest Bulgaria since the 1900s. It is also an award winning winery with a dramatic backstory as the winery fell out of the family’s hands in 1940! But, the present owner founded the winery in 1989 and has undertaken a restoration project. 

This is a medium bodied Shiraz with blackberry and tobacco on the nose. It is a purple berry colour and slightly tannic on the palate with a medium finish and a bitter aftertaste. This Shiraz would work well with tomato based dishes.

ABV: 13%
Size: 750ml 
Find here: £8.99

Santimenti Mavrud 2022, Zagreus Winery, Thracian Valley

This winery has been producing organic wines since 2010 and planted their first vines in 1998. Zagreus Winery is focused on sustainability and the ecosystem and became Bio certified. Their philosophy is for low intervention. Mavrud is an indigenous Bulgarian grape variety and this medium bodied wine is vegan friendly. It is purple in colour with blackcurrant aromas on the nose as well as white pepper aromas. On the palate, this is a tangy, dry wine with complexity and is a good wine to share to showcase the range that Bulgarian wines have!

ABV: 13.5%
Size: 750ml 
Find here: £18

For that extra special treat, we present you with what is known as Bulgaria’s traditional drink, which is Rakia. Whilst this is not a wine, it is a grape Rakia and is similar to Grappa in that sense and can be enjoyed as that digestif to cleanse the palate.

Arkana Rakia from Muscat Ottonel, Seewines Spirit JSC, Thracian Valley

The grape variety for this Rakia is Muscat Ottonel, which involves a fermentation of parts of the juice. Interestingly, SeeWines Spirit JSC planted their first vineyards with Muscat Ottonel in 2016!

This Rakia has had some ageing in oak barrels and is a light golden colour. There is an intensity on the nose with hints of spices and rose to provide that balance. Whilst it has that stronger flavour similar to Brandy and that warmth on the chest there is also a slight floral and honey aftertaste to ensure that it will appeal to most palates. The Arkana Rakia is also an award winner within the Spirits Selection of the 2022 International Competition in Brussels.

ABV: 42%
Size: 700ml 
Find here: Currently not available for shipping, but find Rakia here.

You may be wondering why there is no mention of Bulgaria’s capital city Sofia within these wine regions. Indeed, Sofia is carved out but, we do have you covered in that respect if you wish to visit Sofia and its neighbouring areas to partake in some wine tasting and a bit of wine tourism on holiday.

The Sofia Wine Walk company specialises in sommelier led wine tours to 2 or 3 locations, a bit like a bar crawl, where you can experience different wines according to your personal preferences. There are 6 Bulgarian wines to try, with tapas available at some locations, and it is a fun, enjoyable way to explore Bulgarian wines and to meet new people too! You could be a solo traveller for these wine walks or travel with family or friends and these walking wine tasting sessions are also a good gift for a special occasion.

Reservations can be made online too: https://sofiawinewalk.com/en/

As you can see, the Bulgarian wine landscape is emerging and transforming with many new projects and innovations being developed. We hope that this article will provide that inspiration to try another wine region and explore the variety of grapes within Bulgarian wines. As there are various events showcasing Bulgarian wines now, would you be tempted to go to one or to visit Bulgaria for wine tours? We can’t wait to hear about your Bulgarian wine adventures.

By Latoya Austin

What is Crémant and What Should I Try?

Sparkling wine tends to come to many of our minds during springtime, encouraged by the warmer weather and the celebratory period as wedding season beckons. Sparkling French wine is perfect for these occasions, but did you know there’s so much more out there than just Champagne? We're talking about Crémant which has enjoyed increased popularity lately, so you might be keen to know what it is and why Crémant sparks such interest. Let's delve further into the world of Crémant to find out more!

What is crémant?

First of all. Crémant is a sparkling wine variety, which is quality wine that can be either white or Rosé, produced within 8 specific regions in France (also referenced as appellations) – we will come back to those specific regions later. As the French treat Crémant as seriously as they do Champagne, the production of Crémant is protected, which is known as being AOC classified (controlled origin appellation) and the appellations are authorised by the INAO (France’s regulatory body for appellations). This means that not any old sparkling wine produced in France can just call itself a Crémant! Crémant is made by the traditional method production (similar to Champagne) and this specific production type binds all 8 appellations. There is even a National Federation of Crémant Growers and Producers that was founded in 1982!

Where does crémant come from?

Coming back to those 8 regions mentioned above, Crémant is produced in Alsace, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Die, Jura, Limoux, Loire and Savoie – these regions cover most of the corners of France, so this sounds like the perfect excuse for a spot of wine tourism with a French road trip following this wine route! Some of these regions, such as Bordeaux, may already be known to you for their still white and red wines and now you can also combine the usual wine tasting visit with tasting some bubbles too! The Crémant name is protected by the National Federation of Crémant Growers and Producers which encourages the knowledge and promotion of their beloved wine on a national and international scale.

What is the difference between champagne and crémant?

This is a good question as these are both sparkling wine varieties produced in France but the key difference is that Champagne can only be produced in the Champagne region, whereas there are other regions to choose from that produce Crémant. Plus, of course there is the price difference with Crémant being a cost effective solution without reducing the taste quality as it’s produced in the same way to Champagne. Crémant can use different grape varieties (Champagne only uses Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier) and can also have a higher PH level than Champagne.

Does crémant differ depending on the region (appellation) that it is made from?

Again, this is a very good question as a 2009 community regulation contains the requisites that all Crémant wines must adhere to and yet there are also regional differences. What is common to all Crémant wines is that there is secondary fermentation in the bottle (this is where the delightful bubbles are created due to carbon dioxide). The rules for Crémant also mean that the wines are aged in the bottle for at least 9 additional months, which is where that yeasty smell and taste may be apparent, as there is that contact with the lees (dead yeast cells) when the wine is stirred. Crémant must also be sold only 12 months after the bottling process. Furthermore, the other rules for Crémant are quite stringent; they must be manually harvested, the wine needs to come from specifically squeezed grapes, and there are restrictions on the amount of sulphur chemicals and the level of sugar content too! Let’s explore France some more to truly get to know Crémant!

Alsace

Within the Alsace region, vineyards are planted close to the local villages and it is therefore not surprising that the region is the largest producer of Crémant with around 32.9 million bottles sold per year! According to the Alsace regional tourism board, those sales fall second to that of Champagne in the sparkling wine production, which is a very impressive statistic! Crémant d’Alsace accounts for approximately 24% of Alsace’s wine production and there are regional stipulations governing Alsace’s Crémants, so let’s talk about those!

In 1976, Crémant d’Alsace received its AOC classification but the wine producers from Alsace employed the traditional method for their sparkling wines since the late 19th century! Some of the Alsace Crémants will involve a blend of grape varieties but others may be a single grape variety. But, Pinot Noir tends to be the main grape variety which provides that delicate taste. However, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay may also be present and Pinot Noir is the only variety used for the rosé version. As another tip, you can access the online directory for the Alsace wine route when in France!

Bordeaux

Bordeaux may be renowned for its delicious red wines but it is also a producer of quality Crémant sparkling wines! However, it was only in 1990 that the Crémant de Bordeaux received its AOC ranking. Similar to the Alsace region, Bordeaux also uses the traditional method for its crémant production and what you can expect from these Crémants, as indicated by the Bordeaux regional tourism board, are fine bubbles and aromatic wines. Crémant only accounts for 1% of the wine production in Bordeaux, making it one of the smaller Crémant producers but these typically use the same Bordeaux grapes as their still wines. Therefore, the main grape varieties you will see in a Crémant de Bordeaux are Sémillion and Sauvignon. For the Rosé Crémants, these might have a blend of Cabernet and Merlot.

Bourgogne

It was in the early 19th century that Champagne knowledge, via the village Rully, was imported to Bourgogne (Burgundy in English). But, the AOC classification for Crémant de Bourgogne was only received in 1975! Again, this Crémant uses the traditional method (méthode champenoise) and with Crémant de Bourgogne you can also find a Blanc de Blanc and Blanc des Noirs as well as the usual white and red varieties. You can expect to find the grapes of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir within these Crémants. There are approximately 19.2 million bottles sold each year which amounts to 10% of the wine produced in the Bourgogne region! Plus, there is the further segregation within Crémants from Bourgogne with the ‘eminent’ Crémants, aged for at least 24 months and the ‘grand eminent’ Crémants aged for 36 months or more!

Die (the Rhône)

From the Drôme Valley vineyards comes the Crémant de Die with its special location between the Alps and Provence. The vineyards therefore occupy some of France’s highest altitudes at nearly 700 metres! Die is approximately two hours away from Lyon in the south east of France and is one of the smallest Crémant producers. The appellation was received in 1993 and approximately 700,000 bottles of Crémant de Die are sold each year. The grape varieties typically used are Clairette, Aligoté and Muscat which create that green fruits aroma. Crémant de Die could also be combined with chestnut liqueur for a Kir which sounds like a very tempting cocktail to us!

Jura

Whilst this sparkling wine production dates back to the late 18th century, the AOC classification was only received in 1995! This appellation region is also connected with the Côtes du Jura, Arbois, Château-Chalon and L’Étoile. Crémant du Jura differs from some of the other appellations as there are five authorised grape varieties! These are Poulsard, Pinot Noir, Trousseau, Chardonnay and Savagnin. For white Crémants du Jura, there must be at least 70% of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Trousseau. At least 50% of Pinot Noir, Poulsard and Trousseau must be utilised for the Rosé and the grapes are hand harvested too! There are approximately 1.7 million bottles sold per year which accounts for around 16% of the total Jura AOC production. A fun fact is that there is also a specific Crémant du Jura flute glass specially designed to get the best out of your Crémant du Jura!

Limoux

Situated in the south of France and in the middle of the Languedoc, Crémant de Limoux was first mentioned in a document dating back to 1544 starting with the ancestral method of production. However, the AOC label was only granted to Crémant de Limoux in 1990, but it’s just one of five AOC classifications in the region. The AOC Crémant de Limoux typically consists of two main grape varieties being Chardonnay and Chenin with at least 90% of these varieties having to be used. Additionally, the other varieties Mauzac and Pinot Noir would use 40% maximum of the variety, of which 20% must be Mauzac. Like we said, it can be strict and precise! The grapes will be hand picked and the Crémants produced by the traditional method. The Crémants de Limoux are typically Brut with a floral aroma and the region sells approximately 5.8 million bottles per year. What is also exciting, as mentioned by the Limoux regional tourism board, is that the 33rd edition of the National Crémant Competition will take place in Limoux in April 2024 - keep an eye out for the winners!

Loire

The production area of Crémant de Loire covers the villages of Drain to Cheverny and therefore includes AOC classified regions such as Anjou and Saumur. Crémant de Loire received its appellation in 1975 and its northern location means that there is a diversity of climates impacting the grapes production. The main grape varieties used are Chenin and Cabernet Franc, but there may be blends using Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Grolleau Noir, Grolleau Gris and Orbois to add more flavour! The Crémants de Loire will therefore typically be quite fresh and subtle on the nose and approximately 17 million bottles are sold each year.

Savoie

In the steep valleys of the Alps, the Crémant de Savoie is the newest region to receive its appellation, which was only granted in 2015! The AOC Crémants de Savoie use a multitude of grape varieties but there are restrictions, as usual, for production! The main grape varieties used are the Savoyard Jacquère and Altesse grapes of which 60% must be used - the other 40% being from the Jacquère grapes. Other grape varieties include Chasselas, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Gamay for the other 40% but there must be a maximum 20% of grape varieties used. You should therefore expect fresh and citrus aromas from the Crémants de Savoie given the cool climate and there are approximately 350,000 bottles sold each year. It would therefore be ideal to combine your skiing with wine tasting in the Savoie region!

Which crémants should I try?

Now that you are armed with all of this Crémant knowledge about the appellations, here are some bottles of Crémant that we think you will love!

Gratien & Meyer Crémant de Loire Rosé

This is a smooth drinkable Rosé with a pale pink salmon colour. It is bursting full of strawberries with a light aroma, a dry flavour and medium finish. It offers a subtle elegance that makes it ideal to drink by itself as an after work treat! This one is a definite crowd pleaser!

Size: 75cl
ABV: 12%
Price: £12.50

Louis Vallon Crémant De Bordeaux Blanc De Noirs

A medium bodied Crémant with a light texture, this is an easy drinking elegant bottle. There are citrus, peaches and apple aromas on the nose with a slight detection of yeast and almonds. This Crémant pairs well with almonds as an aperitif.

Size: 75cl
ABV: 12%
Price: £14.75

Cave De Turckheim NV - ALSACE AOC

This is a balanced Crémant from Alsace with a pale lemon colour and fine bubbles and tastes just like a Champagne! There are peach and floral aromas on the nose with a medium intensity and strong finish which pairs quite well with popcorn for a film night!

Size: 75cl
ABV: 12%
Price: £12.75

N.V. Crémant de Bourgogne, Dufouleur Pere et Fils

This is Brut Crémant with a slightly golden colour and is from the Nuit St George’s area. There is a fruity aroma with green apple and peach with a creamy biscuits taste on the palate and medium intensity as a good all rounder.

Size: 75cl
ABV: 12%
Price: £17.75

Waitrose Cuvée Royale Brut Crémant de Limoux

This is a fresh tasting Crémant with big bubbles from the Limoux region. It has a medium complexity with an aroma of floral pears to provide a light but dry wine with a biscuity taste. This would pair very well with salmon blinis for those celebrations!

Size: 75cl
ABV: 12.5%
Price: £13.99

Aldi Specially Selected Crémant du Jura

This Crémant is very popular and keeps flying off the shelves - we can see why! It is a flavourful, aromatic Crémant packed with a fruit forward profile which is also fresh with green apple and a creamy secondary aroma with medium intensity and finish. This would be the ideal Crémant to have with brunch with friends!

Size: 75cl
ABV: 12%
Price: £8.99

Château de l'aulée Crémant NV - Crémant de Loire

This is a dry Crémant that surprisingly tastes just like a Champagne and is very quaffable! It uses Chenin Blanc as its single grape and has a golden colour with rich primary and secondary aromas of apple, brioche and biscuits. This will appeal to many palates and would work well with sea food.

Size: 75cl
ABV: 12.5%
Price: £18.99

Benjamin Darnault Vignerons Wife Crémant de Bourgogne Brut

A very smooth, easy drinking Crémant which is a Chardonnay blend. This is ideal for those who enjoy a lighter, subtle sparkling wine with aromas of green apple, floral and a crisp taste. This will be ideal for sitting in the garden with a picnic.

Size: 75cl
ABV: 12%
Price: £19.99

Sainsburys Taste the Difference Crémant d’Alsace

This is a dry tasting Alsace Crémant with hints of green apple, citrus flavours and secondary flavours of brioche. It has a medium intensity with high acidity and a creamy texture to provide that balanced profile and can be drunk by itself for that spa day!

Size: 75cl
ABV: 12%
Price: £11.50

We would love to hear which Crémants you have tried as they make such a good alternative to Champagne and there is often not that much difference in the taste, depending on the region! Crémant will be great for those spring and summer special occasions or a perfect excuse to treat yourself - what are you waiting for? Santé!

By Latoya Austin

The Best English Wines To Try This Summer

June has become a time where English wine is celebrated in all its glory here in the UK and as we gradually creep out of lockdown, there are even more reasons to celebrate it as many wineries open their doors for tastings, lunches, dinners and events. Don’t forget; English Wine Week also falls on the 19th - 27th June this year, so why not support the industry and celebrate by cracking one of these fantastic bottles - all from producers you really need to know. 

STILL

Bolney Estate Chardonnay 2020 (West Sussex)

Bolney Wine Estate in West Sussex is becoming well known both for its fantastic wines covering just about every style as well as for its status as an enviable wine tourism destination, thanks to its tasting tours, restaurant and experiences. Their still Chardonnay 2020 is a limited edition that shows off both crispness and texture, combining notes of lemon peel, apricot, lightly toasted brioche, baked peach and honeysuckle. It reminds us of a Premier Cru Chablis, but with a beautiful, British accent.

Find here: £24.99

Denbies Pinot Noir 2018 (Dorking, Surrey)

Planted in 1986, Denbies is one of the largest wine estates in the country and was one of the first on the wine tourism scene with its vineyard hotel and restaurants. Mostly famous for its sparkling wines, this still Pinot Noir is only made in exceptional years when the grapes are perfectly ripe. They get the proper French oak treatment for 17 months, no less. It’s really gorgeous, with enticing notes of dark cherry, cocoa and a waft of vanilla bean, plus a silky, elegant raspberry milk chocolate palate.

Find here: £22.50

BRUT SPARKLING

‘Brut’ is simply the French word for ‘dry’ in the world of sparkling wine. You will see it on sparkling wines from all around the world including Prosecco and English fizz. Here are two you need to try. 

Rathfinny Brut 2017 (South Downs, Sussex)

Rathfinny is rapidly establishing itself as a leading light for Sussex sparkling thanks to its incredible location on a south-facing slope in the South Downs. Here, the climate, chalk soil and aspect make it ideal for producing grapes for fizz. The Brut 2017 is a blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay and has a quintessentially English note of tangy apple skin and lightly baked brioche. Lovely chalky texture too. 

Find here: £29.50

Exton Park Reserve Blend 32 Brut (South Downs, Hampshire)

Exton park is a 60-acre single vineyard located in the South Downs National Park divided into nine separate plots according to terroir and aspect. Since 2011, winemaker Corinne Seely has kept an extensive library of reserve wines in order to create what she describes as an ‘English Bollinger’, where most of the blend (80%) is made up of reserve wines rather than the base from the most recent vintage. This Brut is 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, has had 3 years on lees and uses 32 different reserve wines. Expect notes of apple pie, a golden weight and a cool, mineral core. Weighty and serious.

Find here: £39

BLANC DE BLANCS

Translated literally from the French, blanc de blancs means ‘white from white’, i.e. white wine made from white grapes. With Champagne, this always means 100% Chardonnay as it will also do for English Sparkling wine and many other fizzes from around the world, but not all of them. It’s a style known for making great food matches, especially with the likes of fish and seafood, from lobster and fish and chips, to sashimi and even cheese.

Rathfinny Blanc de Blancs 2017 (Alfriston, Sussex)

The 100% Chardonnay offering from ravishing Rathfinny down in Sussex, is a limited production of only 9,333 bottles, each aged for 36-months on the lees to give it a glorious, golden colour, a creamy weight and complex flavours of tropical fruit, white peach, blossom and a squeeze of lime. A serious wine that’s light on its feet, giving any blanc de blanc Champagne a run for its money. 

Find here: £39.50

Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2016 (Appledore, Kent)

Gusbourne is another need-to-know name in English wine as it continues to win just about every award going. 2016 was an exceptional year in England with all that sunshine and this resulting fizz from grapes grown in Appledore in Kent offers a heady mix of flavours taking in ripe citrus, pear and orange peel with subtle, toasty notes and a moreish salinity on the finish. Very elegant. We love it.

Find here: £59

SPARKLING ROSE

Langham Rosé 2017 (Dorchester, Dorset)

This elegant beauty from Dorset was the only pink English sparkling wine to be awarded a Gold Medal in this year's International Wine & Spirits Competition (the IWSC). Made with 54% Pinot Noir, 23% Pinot Meunier and 23% Chardonnay, it’s pale and pretty with a nose of fine strawberry tart decorated with other ripe, red fruits. Refreshing, pure and perfumed. Lovely!

Find here: £29.90

Exton Park Reserve Blend Rosé

Another in the Reserve Blend (RB) range, the Exton Park pink is extraordinary. Made with 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Pinot Meunier using 23 reserve wines and 3 years on the lees to give weight and complexity, this is a rich and textured pink that’s dry and savoury with notes of dried rose petal, peach and a hint of spice. Allow it to open up in your glass over time and you’ll be treated to a flavours that change subtly with every sip. 

Find here: £39

Roebuck Estates Rosé de Noirs (Petworth, Sussex)

Roebuck is a relatively new kid on the sparkling wine block and it arrived with a bang, winning a tonne of awards for its inaugural release. This is their first ever rosé, made with 100% Pinot Noir grapes from their stunning Roman Villa vineyard. With a delicate, rose petal hue, this is a classy, elegant wine with notes of red apple, hawthorn, cranberry and soft brioche. A lovely pink with its own personality and it has just won the trophy at the IWC this year!

Find here: £40

Hambledon Première Cuvée Rosé (Hambledon, Hampshire)

And now for something completely different; a very dark rosé made from 100% Pinot Meunier. This savoury fizz is full in body and flavour with notes of smoky strawberry, tobacco leaf and even a touch of grilled meat. With a fabulous texture and no added sweetness, this a great food wine and certainly one for a meaty barbecue in the sunshine. Hambledon established themselves early on as one of England’s top wine producers. Definitely a name to watch. 

Find here: £69.50

DEMI-SEC

Charles Palmer Demi Sec 2014 (Winchelsea, East Sussex)

When you want an elegant fizz with a lighter pudding or even a salty cheese, the Charles Palmer demi-sec has a little sweetness and a lot of personality. With 5 years spent on lees giving it those toasty, brioche notes, this Pinot Noir and Chardonnay blend has got a good amount of age in its too, which adds to the complex and fruity flavour profile. Think apricot, apple and peach compote under a delicate crumble. It’s amazing with pavlova. The palace is also worth a visit and they have rooms! Ideal for after that long tasting tour when you forgot to spit...

Find here: £26

Want to know more about English wines? Check out this piece on The Best UK Vineyard Stays.