Nyetimber Classic Cuvée
Nyetimber planted its first vines in 1988 and did more than anyone to show that English sparkling wine could stand next to Champagne. The Classic Cuvée is its signature wine.
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English wine
The English sparkling wines we would buy
Sparkling wine is what England is known for. Most of it is made the same way as Champagne, from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grown on the chalk and greensand of the south-east.
Which one to choose
- Your first bottle: Nyetimber Classic Cuvée, the wine that did most to show England could compete with Champagne, or Chapel Down Brut, the easiest to find.
- For a present: Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs, a vintage wine from Romney Marsh, or Domaine Evremond Classic Cuvée, the first English wine from the Champagne house Taittinger.
- All Chardonnay: a Blanc de Blancs is lighter and more citrus. Try Rathfinny or Gusbourne.
- A piece of history: Hambledon Classic Cuvée, from the Hampshire estate first planted in 1952.
- Good value: Simpsons’ Chalklands from the North Downs near Canterbury.
- Something pink: Balfour Brut Rosé, the wine Balfour is best known for, or Gusbourne Rosé for a special occasion.
Prices and stock are checked every week. Prices are for a single 75cl bottle.
Sparkling wine
What England is known for. Most of these are made the same way as Champagne, with a second fermentation in the bottle, from grapes grown on the chalk and greensand of the south-east.
Chapel Down Brut
The everyday sparkling wine from one of England’s biggest producers, and the easiest of these to find.
Visit Our guide to Chapel Down
Hambledon Classic Cuvée
From the estate often called England’s oldest commercial vineyard, first planted in 1952 in the chalk of the South Downs.
Visit Our guide to Hambledon
Rathfinny Blanc de Blancs
Made only from Chardonnay at the big estate in the South Downs near Alfriston.
Visit Our guide to Rathfinny
Domaine Evremond Classic Cuvée
The first wine from the Kent estate of the Champagne house Taittinger, released in 2025.
Simpsons' Chalklands Classic Cuvée
From a family estate on the North Downs chalk near Canterbury, founded by a couple who also make wine in the south of France.
Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs
Gusbourne makes only vintage wines, from vines first planted in 2004 on the edge of Romney Marsh.
Visit Our guide to Gusbourne
Hattingley Valley Classic Reserve
The main sparkling wine from one of Hampshire’s best-known producers.
Bolney Classic Cuvée
From a Sussex estate a few minutes off the A23, easy to visit from Brighton or London.
Visit Our guide to Bolney
Sparkling rosé
Pink sparkling wine is where many English producers are at their most generous.
Balfour Brut Rosé
The wine Balfour is best known for, from the Hush Heath estate in the Weald.
Visit Our guide to Balfour
Gusbourne Rosé
Vintage sparkling rosé from the estate on the edge of Romney Marsh.
Visit Our guide to Gusbourne
Nyetimber Rosé
The pink sparkling wine from the West Sussex estate that did most to put English sparkling wine on the map.
Visit Our guide to Nyetimber
Bolney Eighteen Acre Rosé
A traditional method sparkling rosé from the Sussex estate near Haywards Heath, with summer fruit and a fresh finish.
Visit Our guide to Bolney
Looking for a still rosé? See our English rosé wines.
How does it stand up? See English sparkling wine vs Champagne and this year’s award winners.
Questions people ask
What is the best English sparkling wine to try first?
A non-vintage blend from one of the established houses, such as Nyetimber Classic Cuvée or Chapel Down Brut. Both are widely available and show the style England is known for.
Is English sparkling wine made like Champagne?
Most of it is. The leading English producers use the same traditional method, with a second fermentation in the bottle, and many grow the same grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
What does Blanc de Blancs mean?
A sparkling wine made only from white grapes, usually all Chardonnay. It tends to be lighter and more citrus than a blend that includes Pinot Noir.
Is English sparkling rosé sweet?
Usually not. Most are labelled Brut, which means dry, with the fruit coming from Pinot Noir rather than from added sweetness.
What does Classic Cuvée mean?
The name many English estates give their main sparkling blend, usually of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. It is the wine to try first from any producer.