The Best Easy-to-Make Prosecco Cocktails

When you’re in the mood, you cannot beat adding some fizzing bubbles to a cocktail and being so fresh, versatile, and affordable, Prosecco is the perfect cocktail partner.

Let’s jump into a few of the super simple to make cocktails with Prosecco at the heart of them, featuring the classics you know and love and a few you might not have heard of...

Bellini

Step into the Italian sun with the Bellini, a timeless concoction born at Harry's Bar in Venice. This elegant but famously simple to make cocktail blends velvety peach puree with the bubbles of Prosecco, creating a sweet and sparkling symphony. A summer sunset in a glass.

Ingredients
60ml peach purée
160ml Prosecco
Peach slice (garnish)

 Method
Unless you’re a Belliniphile, you probably won’t have peach purée laying around so buy some or make your own (peel peaches, refrigerate and blend). Strain into a flute, top up with that Prosecco and gently stir to retain the fizz. If you’ve got a peach left, of course a slice as garnish tops it all off nicely.

Negroni Sbagliato

When a bartender mistakenly used Prosecco instead of gin in a Negroni, the Negroni Sbagliato was born – and thank goodness for that mix-up! This playful twist swaps the traditional bitterness for a touch of bubbly joy and makes for a lighter mix.

Ingredients
25ml Prosecco (use extra dry for sweetness)
25ml Campari
25ml sweet vermouth
orange slice (to garnish)

Method
Pour the Campari and vermouth into a rocks glass and fill it with ice. Top up with Prosecco. Stir gently to chill and garnish with the orange slice. Voilà!

Hugo Spritz

The first rival to truly challenge the Aperol Spritz when it comes to summer spritz sensation, the Hugo Spritz has spread across Europe from Northern Italy and with the power of TikTok, become more popular than ever. Aromatic, effervescent and invigorating with fragrant fruits and the perfect balance of sweetness and crispness – you’ve got to see what all the hype is about.

Ingredients
40ml elderflower liqueur (like St Germain)
20ml soda water
Sprigs of fresh mint
Dash of lime or lemon juice
Prosecco to top up

Lime/lemon wedge (garnish)

Method
Take a large wine or Highball glass and add some mint (muddle for extra flavour or leave for subtle soothing). Pour in your elderflower liqueur or if you want a less boozy version, elderflower cordial works well too. Fill the glass with ice, add a splash of soda, some lemon or lime juice (both work), and top up with that gorgeous fizzy Prosecco!

Kir Royale

Take your Prosecco to regal heights with the Kir Royale. Some use Champagne for this, which works great but the fruity profile of Prosecco works a treat. Use a rich and sweet blackcurrant liqueur (crème de cassis for syrupy sweetness, Chambord for more depth). So, so delicious.

Ingredients
1 tbsp blackcurrant liqueur (crème de cassis or Chambord)
Prosecco
Blackberry/Raspberry (optional garnish)

Method
Ridiculously simple, add your liqueur into a flute and top her up with Prosecco. Raspberries or blackberries for the garnish and away you go!

Pink 75

A beautiful pink 75 fit for Barbie, this twist on the French 75 boasts so much flavour and charm behind that rosy hue. Zesty grapefruit adds some tang to the sweet ripe fruits of the gin botanicals, all pulled together by Prosecco’s gorgeous fizz and refreshment. Include the garnishes and this is a real showstopper when popped in front of your guests.

 Ingredients
50ml pink gin (any decent berry flavour or rhubarb)
10ml pink grapefruit juice
Prosecco to top up
Raspberries (garnish)
Edible flower petals (optional garnish)

Method
Shakers out for this – add everything with ice until your hands are cold, and strain into the flute before yet again, topping up with Prosecco. If you’re feeling extra, then edible petals really give this cocktail that special touch... which is what they’re all about right?

Poinsettia

Quaffable to the max, this is a fantastic all year-round cocktail that refreshes but also has that something special. Not only beautiful to look at, but it also tastes delicious too with tart cranberry playing off light Prosecco so well. Some use triple sec in the recipe, but we want to go for Grand Marnier for extra indulgence and depth. Perfect for celebrations but also a reason to celebrate in itself!

 Ingredients
25ml Grand Marnier
50ml cranberry juice
Prosecco to top up
Fresh bay leaf (garnish)

Method
Simple again, just pour everything with the Prosecco last and give it a nice stir. If everything’s nicely chilled beforehand, then that’s it! Oh, and a fresh bay leaf for traditional garnish. Voila!

Sgroppino

One of the OG Prosecco cocktails, Venetians were drinking this in between courses all the way back to the 1400s. Essentially, it’s vodka and Prosecco blended with lemon sorbet – nom. It’s got a boozy hit, sweet citrus and is perfect on a hot day or as an alcoholic dessert substitute at your next dinner party.

 Ingredients
30ml vodka
50ml Prosecco
1 scoop lemon sorbet

Method
The key here is to make sure everything is chilled and then simply blend them together before serving in a small, chilled glass! Make sure you like the lemon sorbet before adding because you don’t want to spoil the vodka or Prosecco!

If you’re looking for the perfect Prosecco for these moreish mixes, then there are tonnes of great recommendations across our site including in our Prosecco Styles Guide!

Best Sparkling Wine for Afternoon Tea

There's a reason why bubbly wine is the perfect match for afternoon tea, and it’s not just adding that extra touch of excitement with every popping cork. Sparkling wines offer the best of all worlds - the crisp sweetness that pairs exquisitely with pastries and treats, the savoury charm that complements the sandwiches, and of course, effervescence to lighten up the whole affair.

They’re so good as afternoon tea companions in fact that the marriage has its own name, ‘The Sparkling Afternoon Tea’. Bearing that in mind, let’s take a look at the Best Sparkling Wine pairings for afternoon tea!

Prosecco

Maschio Prosecco DOC Extra Dry

Prosecco's light and fruity character makes it a charming companion for afternoon tea, as long as you find one with decent flavour complexity so the food doesn’t overwhelm the wine. Prosecco particularly shines with the sweet dishes, having the fruitiness and touch of sweetness required to avoid becoming overly bitter and acidic.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11%
Find here: £8 (usually more!)

Champagne

Mercier Brut Champagne

When forced to pick only one, Champagne is probably the ultimate afternoon tea companion, or indeed ‘Royal Afternoon Tea’ as it becomes. A beautifully produced Brut Champagne like this serves as a fantastic all-rounder, with that yeasty, nutty, creamy and brioche profile complementing well. There is also enough acidity to cut through fatty, oily foods like savoury salmon, buttery pastry, and clotted cream.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £35.94

Moscato d’Asti

Moscato d’Asti DOCG Bersano

Moscato d’Asti has a similar relationship with afternoon tea as Prosecco, and if you’re looking for something to do the job whatever level of the afternoon tea you’re on, this probably isn’t it. However, when it comes to the cakes, sponges and in particular the citrus sweets, it’s fantastic. Subtle, refreshing, delicate bubbles, low alcohol and with more sweetness than Champagne but a hit of acidity too – give it a go!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 5.3%
Find here: £8.99

Blanc de Blancs

Gusbourne Blanc De Blancs 2018

There has never been a better time to pair up English wine with afternoon tea, with more and more delicious wine in production. Blanc de Blancs brings a touch of simplicity and purity to your teatime affair. Made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes, this wine offers crisp, refreshing notes that gracefully enhance buttery scones and clotted cream. For anything rich, look to fresh and lively Blanc de Blancs to lighten the experience. Gusbourne’s flagship bottle costs a bit more than most, but there’s a reason it’s one of England’s best-known wines.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £63.75

Blanc de Noirs

Rathfinny Estate Blanc de Noirs 2018

Staying with the blooming world of British fizz, this is a white sparkler made from 100% black grapes – Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier in this case. It offers more structure and something with richer fruits (cherry and baked apple) and leans more towards florality, minerality and earthiness. It’s bold and loveable and can hold its own against more intense meaty flavours, as well as sweeter red fruits. Savoury and sweet, Blanc de Noirs won’t let you down.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £38.50

The flourishing English Fizz market has tonnes of good options to pair magically with afternoon tea, so try these incredible English Sparkling Wines leading the way!

9 Bottles of Cava You Need to Try

Cava is a sparkling wine made in the same traditional method as Champagne, but in Spain and with local grapes like Parallada, Macabeo and Xarel-lo. Because of this, it’s seen as one of the best Champagne alternatives, with a slightly more umami and brioche tinge that makes it a food-friendly dream.

The best thing about it though is the value! At a fraction of the price of French fizz, Cava provides fantastic quality, versatility, and character and if you find a bottle that you click with, it becomes many drinkers’ go-to weekly sipper!

So, if you want to give Cava a go, then you can’t go far wrong with the nine beauties below!

Bodegas Sumarroca Brut Reserva 2019/20

Organic, vegan, and biodynamically grown, this is a Cava with tonnes of thought and expert craftsmanship in it, and the awards to justify it. The pear and pastry aromas are to die for, flavouring a fizz that feels refined and fresh with the perfect touch of acidity. Most Cavas have under a year on the lees, but this has 24 months!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £11.85 (usually more!)

Freixenet Cuvée Especial Ice Rosé N.V.

This is the epitome of summer refreshment – a fizzing Cava Rosé from Freixenet. Garnacha brings ripe red fruits and spice, Pinot Noir provides freshness and acidity, whilst Chardonnay injects some intensity and balance. Plum, blackberries, strawberries... all delicately poised with florality and elegance. Pour over ice, sit back, and relax.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £11.95

Faustino Cava Brut Reserva

Made with Macabeo and Chardonnay grapes, this is a super sparkly Cava from Faustino. You get so much fruit and florality for your money with apple, pear, citrus, and brioche all there, as well as a moreish creamy texture that’s very pleasant. If you don’t like too much sweetness in your sparkling wine, try this!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11.5%
Find here: £13.50

Bohigas Brut Reserva

A delectably soft Cava with great structure from near Barcelona, the 24 months on lees in the barrel has developed the layers of flavouring perfectly. White fruit aromas flood the nose, alongside lemon tart, and subtle vanilla. The mouth is bone-dry dry with more citrus, orchard fruits and a touch of minerality. A lot of drinkers’ go-to’s for a reason!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £14.05

Anna de Codorniu Ice Edition Rosé

A subtly sweeter Cava here from Anna de Codorniu, with a Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay blend. Tasty lemon notes feature from nose to finish and whilst there is a fruity sweetness, you also get good acidity and tang from that grapefruit and lime, and a great mousse. Serve with a load of ice and it’s a delicious sipper indeed.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £14.45

Cava Conde de Haro Brut 2019

It’s not just reds coming out of Rioja, but winning Cava too. This expression ages for two years, developing Champagne levels of complexity whilst retaining a youthful freshness. It’s a richer style of Cava with a full body, carrying delicious notes of biscuit, apple, and dried fruits. If you’ve not been won around by Cava yet, this is a fantastic representation of what it can be.  

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £14.95

Codorníu Ars Collecta Gran Reserva Grand Rosé 2019

Mouthwatering aromatic and food-friendly Cava here from Cordoníu. The berried bouquet feels bright and fresh, the acidity is measured to perfection, and the creamy bubbles round off a supremely well-balanced profile. Such an inviting hue too – the complete package. Nom!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £19.99

Juvé & Camps Reserva de la Familia 2018

Let us introduce you to this benchmark Spanish Cava. The fresh and creamy feel is hinted at by the buttery nose, which blossoms into a characterful palate of lemon, toffee apple and crunchy apple. It’s long-lasting, super fizzy, bone dry and utterly refreshing – everything you want from Cava.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £20.50

Segura Viudas Heredad Reserva Cava Brut

Check out this bottle from the Segura Viduas winery, fit for a medieval King! Seriously stylish, the ageing comes through on the gently smoky nose and behind all that plentiful mousse is a palate plush with rich dried fruits, flower petals, subtle nutty bitterness and fresh apple and tangerine. There is so much depth here waiting to be explored. It would also be incredible paired with white fish by the way!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £24.95

Want to sip on something closer to home? Try these incredible English Sparkling Wines that are leading the way!

What Are The Best Wine Pairings for Fried Chicken?

Wine probably isn’t the first drink you think of when you think of fried chicken but those who’ve tried it know what a happy marriage it is. Fried chicken is cooked in different ways across the world, from Southern Fried style to Japanese Tempura style, and you can absolutely find the perfect wine for any fried chicken dish.

Sparkling wines effortlessly slice through oils and fats in the chicken, and those gorgeous bubbles refresh between each bite, but there are also still wines that work too! Let’s dive into the indulgent mix of fried chicken and wine...

CHAMPAGNE – for southern fried chicken

Les Pionniers Brut Champagne

A favourite of ours that we’ve mentioned on the podcast before, Champagne isn’t just for washing down the likes of caviar, it also goes incredibly well with fried chicken! You probably wouldn’t put this ‘high-low’ pairing together, but why the hell not, that’s what we say. Zesty acidity and fizzing bubbles cut through perfectly, and the brioche yeastiness pairs with the umami flavour nicely too. Fried chicken will carry intense flavours and spices, so don’t splash out on an expensive fizz – this Co-op sparkler (like most of their others) is incredibly good value with a gorgeous creamy structure.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £21.25

CAVA – for tempura style chicken

Sainsbury's Cava Brut

When it comes to pairing wine with fried chicken, there is absolutely no need to splash out. Good quality Cava is made using the same method as Champagne but instead used local grapes like Paradella, Macabeo and Xarel-lo. You’ll find it’s packed full of zesty citrus, with a more savoury and tropical-led profile than something like Champagne. Its fresh, fruity and fizzy vibrance cleanses the palate wonderfully setting you up for another delicious bite.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11.5%
Find here: £6

PROSECCO – for spicier chicken

Graham Norton’s Own Prosecco DOC NV

Whether it’s buffalo wings, Nashville style, or Korean chicken, lots of fried chicken packs some heat, and so long as it’s not blow-your-head-off spice, bubbles with a touch of sweetness helps. Pick out a wonderfully light expression like this, and it’s gorgeously refreshing alongside a feast.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11.2%
Find here: £12

RIESLING – for lighter chicken

Reichsrat von Buhl - Riesling Trocken 2021

We always look to off-dry Riesling when matching with difficult and intense dishes. Whatever the cuisine, Riesling is the reliable and adaptable all-rounder. Pick out a highly acidic and crisp German Riesling like this one to cut through grease and spice, providing bone-dry refreshment in between bites.  

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £14.95

Sauvignon Blanc – for traditional fried chicken

Co-op Fairtrade Irresistible Sauvignon Blanc

Loved around the world, a glass of Sauvignon tends to be pretty food-friendly and works particularly well with classic fried chicken. Those signature zesty, savoury, and herbaceous notes mirror the food, emphasising the citrus and herbs in the seasoning. Robust acidity refreshes the palate too, making Sauvignon Blanc a fantastic bubble-free alternative.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £6.85

The right drinks accompaniment can truly make or break a meal, so check out other guides including Indian, Thai, Mexican and Sushi!

The English Sparkling Wines You Need to Try

If you haven’t embraced the flourishing world of English Sparkling Wine just yet, then English Wine Week is the perfect time to do so. Over the last decade, it has stormed past still wine in terms of reputation and quality, rivalling Champagnes on the international stage and becoming a mainstay of wine lists.

So, if you’ve been put off by the English fizz of old, then we’ve got just the bottles to show you what you’re missing!

Balfour M&S Lark Song English Rose

From renowned winery Balfour comes this English Rosé, a refreshingly dry bottle that’s half Pinot Noir, and half Pinot Meunier, Regent and Chardonnay. Ripe redcurrants and zesty lemon provide a sweetness with some subtle tang and juicy pears flesh out the taste nicely. Elegant beyond its price point.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £16

Folc Rosé

Without a doubt, this is an English Rosé that holds more than a candle to the Provence Rosé selection. Bursting with ripe strawberries and raspberries, the sweetness is balanced to perfection. Floral and citrus hints with touches of elderflower and lemon keep things interesting, and the mix of seven varietals is so expertly blended that it feels delicate, vibrant, and fresh. Self-assured and sublime.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11%
Find here: £17.95

Fitz Sparkling NV

Now for something a bit different. English wines are generally made in the traditional method like Champagne and with great success too, but Fitz doesn’t follow this method. Rather than a deep, biscuity and dry taste, this a super fresh and fruity expression more reminiscent of an approachable everyday sipper. Notes of peach, honeysuckle and apple intertwine in this delicate and light wine that could easily become a favourite go-to for any or no occasion.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £19

Silverhand Estate, Silver Reign Brut NV

The first release of Kent’s Silverhand Estate, this is a quintessential English fizzer made from Champagne varietals and by the Charmat method. Prosecco style with bright citrus and fresh orchard fruits, this really is an exceptional Champagne-rivalling liquid without the huge price tag.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £21.50

Lyme Bay Winery Brut Reserve

Down to Devon now, where Lyme Bay produced this fruit-forward blend of 6 different varietals including Seyval Blanc and Pinot Noir. Made in the traditional method, the result is a tantalising mix of acidity, full and fresh flavour, and a delicate fruity mousse. Freshly cut grass notes intrigue the nose, before opening up to green apple, toast, and citrus notes as well as just a hint of flinty minerals. Fantastic whatever time of year, this is a benchmark English sparkler.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11.5%
Find here: £21.99

Rathfinny Estate Blanc de Noirs 2018

Rathfinny is another Sussex winery taking its rightful place on wine lists across the country, making full use of its sunny south-facing slopes. Single-harvest Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier join for this delicious, rich expression offering notes of cherry, vanilla, and baked apple. Minerality and florality intertwine harmoniously and a really loveable character comes across in every sip. This would sing alongside some fruity desserts!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £38.75

Gusbourne Blanc De Blancs 2018

Gusbourne has been stacking up the awards for a while now and for a good reason. Their original Blanc de Blancs more than got people’s attention in 2010, and every release since has commanded justified excitement. This 2018 Vintage is plush with crisp green apple, citrus and buttery toasts, with an elegant and lingering minerality to fill out the profile. You’re paying a bit more than most, but this is a wine that completely lives up to those expectations. Serve alongside quality seafood for the perfect culinary experience.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £63.95

Hattingley Valley Kings Cuvée 2015

This widely loved family-owned winery in Hampshire has been industry acclaimed since its first release. As is Hattingley’s way, this is aged for 7 months in oak and a further 6 years on the lees creating dreamy depths of texture and toastiness. A blend of 50% Chardonnay, 34% Pinot Noir and 16% Pinot Meunier, the balance of refreshing lightness and deep richness is magical. Honied nuts, brioche, creamy oak – it’s super premium English sparkling wine done perfectly.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11.7%
Find here: £85

If you want to get up close and personal and see the English winemaking process from grape to glass, then check out these incredible Vineyard Tours!

The new face of English Wine: Silverhand Estate

With English Wine Week 2023 in full swing, we turn our attentions to a brand new English wine producer based in Kent who are doing things a little differently. Welcome to Silverhand Estate!

Who are Silverhand Estate?

If there were ever a sign that English wine and oenotourism is booming, then this is it. Officially the biggest wine project happening in Europe and the biggest organic wine project in the UK, Silverhand is part of the MDCV UK group who own various vineyards in Provence as well as England and its set to be a biggie.

Located in a properly ancient part of the country around Luddesdown in Kent, where there’s a 1000 year old court house and a house that belonged to William the Conqueror's brother on the vineyard site, Silverhand gets its name from the town’s namesake King Ludd, the founder of London and all round royal legend who lost his hand in battle. He was stripped of his battle rights until he was forged a hand made of silver and thus, Silverhand felt a fittingly royal name for the legacy that this English vineyard means to have. 

Big ambitions

Silverhand Winemaker

With 550 acres already under vine and another 300 to come, Silverhand’s output will be impressive with a million bottles slated to be sold by the end of 2026. A state of the art winery designed by Sir Norman Foster has been planned with a top end café-bar and restaurant on site too. While big does not always mean better in terms of wine however, it’s important to note that the team are setting an example by being organic and sustainable from scratch with their new winery being carbon neutral and producing biogas. Here are some of the things Silverhand are doing to minimise their impact on this area of outstanding natural beauty. 

Sustainable from scratch

Helena with the sustainability manager, William

The company’s existing mosaic of vineyards with their flinty chalk and clay soils are certified organic by Demeter and there’s a conservation team that works tirelessly across the estate throughout the year to ensure that the land gives back. In fact the biodiversity net gain in the area is already at +16%.

Dotted inbetween the vineyards are wild grasslands which are home to numerous wildflowers, flora and fauna. Working sheep graze between the vines and fertilise the soils and the hedgerows and bluebell woodlands are kept in place and maintained. Truffles are being planted beneath a swathe of trees to nourish the soil from within and there is also now a conservation programme for rare orchids that have been found by the hedgerows in the top fields. On the production side, the site composts organic waste, harvests rainwater and uses heat from natural sources, such as ground source heat pumps.

A new style of wine for England

What is currently setting Silverhand apart is a new style of wine they have produced which feels like a hybrid between Prosecco and Champagne or rather, traditional method, English sparkling wine. Their maiden release Silver Reign is a charmat method wine, aka the Prosecco method, where the bubbles are formed in a tank rather than in single bottles. Unlike Prosecco however, only the three Champagne varietals, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier are used in the blend, each grape is vinified separately before blending and there is lees ageing happening as well as 5% reserve wine to add complexity to the final wine. The result is a sparkling that has much of the complexity and toasty notes of Champagne, is less sweet than your average Prosecco on the market but with added fruitiness, verve and freshness. At a retail price point of £17 (though it will be launched in the on trade first), it really feels like a game changer for the industry.

Silver Reign English Charmat

Blend: 60% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir, 20% Meunier
12.5% ABV and Vegan
13 g/l Residual sugar (NB extra dry Prosecco is between 12 and 17%) and 4.6 Tartaric Acid
3 months on lees in tank
Note: Nose of elderflower, white hedgerow flowers, pear and apricot. citrus and ripe stone fruit. Filled with citrus, fresh pear and cut apple flavours, and best enjoyed at any time.
£17 from thewinecaverns.co.uk 

However, it is not just charmat  / tank method wines that the estate produces; later this year will see the release of a vintage blanc de blancs wine and a Chardonnay dominant Brut NV wine.  There are also some other exciting developments on the way, but we’ll all just have to wait and see what those are…. Watch this space!

Words by Helena Nicklin

The Best Places To Drink English Sparkling Wine

Happy English Wine Week! Now in times gone by, this might not have been much of an occasion but with English fizz’s staggering rise in quality, popularity, and reputation, it is well worth getting out there and enjoying a glass. But where?

Well, for pretty much wherever you’re based, we’ve got a stellar establishment that’s championing fantastic fizz made right here in the rolling fields of England.

VINEYARDS

All over!

Now we’re not revealing anything too shocking here, but the best place to enjoy English sparkling wine is straight from the source, by visiting one of our many superb vineyards putting English fizz on the global stage. Getting up close and personal with the process from grape to glass is a special experience and it helps that they’re in glorious surroundings too. Check out the link below to find the best vineyard tours near you (and if you’re in the South West, you’re spoilt for choice!).

Find our guide here

LONDON

Oxeye Restaurant

Whilst it might not the cheapest option to sip on English fizz, Oxeye Restaurant in central London is a stunning establishment built around the very best of British ingredients. English bubbles dominated the huge wine list, from Nyetimber’s luxury Tillington, to Blackbook’s super silky Pinot Noir. When it comes to a premium dining experience to celebrate British food and wine, Oxeye is a treat you’ll never forget.

Find the website here

The George

Sister to the adored Cadogan Arms in Chelsea is The George, inhabiting a site that has hosted a pub since the 18th century. Stylish wherever you look, it’s upstairs that we’re interested in because it’s there that you’ll find it’s very own English Sparkling Wine bar. When the Wine List’s subheadings are, ‘London/Hampshire/Kent/Devon/East Sussex/West Sussex/Costwolds/Dorset’, you know you’ve got a great selection on your hands. If you want insight as you sip, keep your eyes peeled for their regular English wine tastings too!

Find the website here

The Coral Room

This beautiful, opulent bar sits in the heart of Bloomsbury, boasting striking art deco décor and a grand salon-style central bar from which you can order a superb selection of English sparklers. Curated by Master of Wine Anne McHale and sorted by county of origin, there are some 50 bottles to pick from, with house favourite being Ridgeview’s Bloomsbury Cuvee NV. Every style is represented here from award-winning Champagne varieties to quirky grapes you might never have tried, and there’s no better surroundings to sip them in.

Find the website here

MANCHESTER

Salut Wines

Like many others in Manchester, Salut is a wine shop doubling up as a dine-in venue. Slap bang in the city centre, over 400 bottles of wine surrounding you as well as a tapas restaurant, including stunning English Classic Cuvee from both Hambledon and Rathfinny. There’re also tapas if you like, stunning surroundings and all kinds of further afield wines from the familiar to the unusual.

Find the website here

NORFOLK

The White Horse

Coming in at Number 34 in the prestigious Estrella Top 50 Gastropubs list is The White Horse along the stunning marshes of Brancaster Staithe, an area of outstanding natural beauty. Top-notch gastropubs like this now rival swanky restaurants for their wine selections, and The White Horse provide a trio of English stunners from the masters at Nyetimber. Classic Cuvee NV, Rose NV, and Blanc de Blancs all feature, as well as locally made Cobble Hill Bacchus. English fizz and incredible seafood – what a pairing.

Find the website here

CORNWALL

The Idle Rocks

Cornish wine continues to go from strength to strength, and where better to celebrate it than the gorgeous coastal town of St Mawes where boutique hotel and restaurant The Idle Rocks sits. A personification of waterside comfort, the wine list is varied with options from across the globe, but it’s the Cornish and English Sparkling Wine Section that caught our eye. Again, Nyetimber provides tasty options alongside Knightor’s Classic Cuvée Brut and Sugrue’s The Trouble With Dreams. The wine list not only pairs with the dishes on offer but is also entirely sustainable – bravo!

Find the website here

BRIGHTON & HOVE

etch. By Steven Edwards

Winner of MasterChef the Professionals, Steven Edwards’s first restaurant, Etch in Hove showcases English wine’s cream of the crop brilliantly. Stocking wines from all over the South-East, there are dry Whites like Davenoport’s Horsmonden and Tickerage’s Chardonnay, but it’s the sparkling wine section that really celebrates the English Wine Revolution. Nyetimber, Wiston, Ridgeview, Rathfinny, Tickerage, Hoffman & Rathbone, Westwell... if you’re anywhere near Hove then this is the place to be.

Find the website here

If you want to get closer to England’s beautiful wines, then there are some incredible Winery Tours available here! Or, if you’d rather sip at home then these our are recommended bottles!

7 Stunning English Vineyards to Visit in 2023

English wine is by no means new. After all, the Romans here were turning vines to wines 2000 years ago, but the buzz around it is. Stand-out English sparkling wine in particular, using chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier is now competing on the global stage.

The handy thing is, the vineyards behind these quality bottles also happen to be nestled in some of the most beautiful, green and glorious countryside in England, so tours and tastings are an absolute pleasure. Suspect British weather aside, these vineyards stand up to anything on the continue for a truly memorable visiting experience.

SUSSEX

Roebuck Estates

Born in 2013, Roebuck Wines set out to make sparkling wine that rivals bottles from the rest of the world and with their shelves now burdened with awards left right, and centre, including a Decanter Platinum just months after opening, they have managed it, becoming a champion of fine English wine in the process. Roebuck are lucky enough to have several top-class vineyards around the market town of Petworth. The home vineyard near Tillington looks over the beautiful South Downs and their Roman Villa vineyard sits in a serene valley, but there is also Little Brockhurst, Waterlands and Hazelhurst, all offering different soils and vines but each as beautiful as the next. There are plenty of experiences and events for those following the winery and, in the sunshine, it truly is a bright and beautiful landscape with some of the best fizz around.

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Bolney Wine Estate

Bolney Wine has established a great reputation for wide-ranging wine varietals as well as tourism, offering memorable experiences of one of the oldest English vineyards. Visitors (and their dogs!) can walk the vines and browse the wines of the vineyard shop, dine at the Eighteen Acre Café, or take part in their renowned tour and tastings, be that the Cheese & Wine version (£30), or the Ultimate Wine & Food experience (£60). The natural beauty of Bolney will become immediately apparent as you explore the vine to wine process through the tasting of award-winning creations and expert tutoring.

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Rathfinny Wine Estate

Rathfinny’s enviable location on a south-facing slope in the South Downs is part of the reason they have become such a leading light for Sussex bubbles, and the historic Flint Barns there make for a magical trip. Whether cosied up by the wood burner inside or soaking up the sun below expansive Sussex skies, Rathfinny is a dreamy place to tour around and even better, there’s a gastropub on site and you can also stay at the award-winning bed & breakfast. If for some reason you want to get away from all that, the coast is only three miles away!

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CORNWALL

Camel Valley

The Camel Valley made a few headlines by becoming the first UK vineyard to be awarded a Protected Designation Origin (PDO) from the European Union for its Darnibole vineyard. Built up by a husband-and-wife duo in the late 1980s, their son has since taken Camel Valley even further winning award after award for their efforts. Stunning red, white and sparkling can all be enjoyed but their Cornwall Brut is their most famous blend, and a number of different tours and tastings are available from ‘Daily Guided’ experiences in the morning to the Grand Tour in the evening. You’ll finish with a glass of the good stuff on the terrace overlooking the river, what more could you want?

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HAMPSHIRE

Hattingley Valley Wines

Rural Hampshire is home to one of the most awarded wineries in the country, producing elegant and sophisticated wines, and in particular flagship sparkling wine, since 2013. Winery Tour and Tastings can be booked from their site, giving visitors the opportunity to explore the work of Head Winemaker Emma Rice, two time winner of UK Winemaker of the Year, as well as the harmonious countryside atmosphere around every blissful corner.

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Hambledon

Hambledon in Hampshire is known as the ‘cradle of cricket’, once home to the most powerful club in the country formed in the 1700s, but that’s not all it’s known for. Established in 1952, Hambledon is England’s oldest vineyard. Major-General Sir Guy Salisbury-Jones looked out over his open field and took the plunge to get even closer to his love of wine. The vines quickly flourished on the south-facing chalky slopes, and in the 70s Queen Elizabeth II even served it to President Pompidou (despite French customs doubting English wine even existed!). These days visitors can enjoy a tour of the truly historic vineyards, a tasting of the leading sparkling wine and a bite to eat at the fine pop-up restaurant. A true pioneer of English wine, and the most historically rich vineyard in the country.

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KENT

Simpsons Estate

Tucked away covertly into the North Downs slopes near Canterbury is the Simpsons Estate, spearheaded by veterans of English wine Charles and Ruth Simpson. From their traditional method sparkling wine using glorious champagne grapes to their sleek dark distinctive packaging, to their more unusual innovations like 100% pinot meunier, Simpsons have certainly made a name for themselves. All-encompassing tastings and tours are offered on most days, but the Friday sunset session is particularly sought after. Truly, Kent’s finest.

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Truth be told though, Kent wine has so much to offer and deserves a guide all of its own. Oh wait, we’ve done just that here!