Blind tasting sees English sparkling better New World but not Champagne

A blind tasting of sparking wines from around the world last week confirmed Champagne’s supremacy, but a preference for English over New World produce.

The tasting took place during an English sparkling wine seminar organised by the Institute of Masters of Wine, and the tasters comprised over 60 MWs and MW students.

The event also included a discussion on the challenges faced the rapidly-expanding English wine industry.

As reported yesterday, an explosion in producers and plantings could result in future oversupply, as estimates suggest 4 million bottles could be made by 2020, more than 10% of the current sales of Champagne in the UK.

However, Stephen Skelton MW said that he was in no doubt as to the quality of sparkling wine being made in the UK, which was confirmed by a tasting of the wines listed below, served blind in the following order.

• Pelorus Cloudy Bay 2007, 60% Pinot Noir/40% Chardonnay, 12.5% (£21)

• The Netherland, Nyetimber, 2009, 72% Pinot Noir/21% Chardonnay, 12% (£NA)

• Roederer Quartet, Roederer Estate, NV, 60% Chardonnay/40% Pinot Noir, 12% (£21.99)

• Grosvenor, Ridgeview, 2007, 100% Chardonnay, 12% (£24.95)

• Roederer Champagne, Louis Roederer, NV, 40% Pinot Noir/40% Chardonnay/20% Pinot Meunier, 12% (£37)

• Brut Graham Beck, NV, 54% Chardonnay/46% Pinot Noir, 12% (£13.29)

The results from the blind tasting can be viewed over the following pages.

1. Roederer Champagne, Louis Roederer, NV, 40% Pinot Noir/40% Chardonnay/20% Pinot Meunier, 12% (£37)

Rich and toasty, the Roederer NV took first place in the tasting, but was also the most expensive sparkling wine in the line-up.

2. The Netherland, Nyetimber, 2009, 72% Pinot Noir/21% Chardonnay, 12% (£NA)

Delicate and pretty, this yet-to-be-released single vineyard offering from the UK’s most famous sparkling wine estate charmed the tasters with its citrus fruit and chalky finish.

3. (equal) Grosvenor, Ridgeview, 2007, 100% Chardonnay, 12% (£24.95) &
Roederer Quartet, Roederer Estate, NV, 60% Chardonnay/40% Pinot Noir, 12% (£21.99)

Despite the two different styles, the apple-scented English sparkling from Ridgeview came in joint third place with the ripe and slightly buttery offering from Roederer’s estate in California.

5. Pelorus Cloudy Bay 2007, 60% Pinot Noir/40% Chardonnay, 12.5% (£21)

Cloudy Bay’s Marlborough sparkling came in fifth place, with some aged characters of honey and toasted bread adding interest.

6. Brut Graham Beck, NV, 54% Chardonnay/46% Pinot Noir, 12% (£13.29)

Finally, the most overtly fruity of the line-up, South Africa’s Graham Beck Brut was overshadowed by the sparkling wines above, but it was also the cheapest.