Your expert guide to the best English wines
Lela London
I’ll admit it: I was late. Frustratingly so, for someone in the know. And while I was dithering, England’s southern counties were building a serious wine arsenal to rival the best in the world.
Champagne houses clocked it early—Taittinger in Kent with Domaine Evremond; Pommery at Pinglestone in Hampshire—realizing South-East England’s belemnite chalk mirrored the Côte des Blancs, with growing seasons that now reliably ripen the classic trio for traditional-method fizz.
Again, I could kick myself for not investing early—but here we are, not all that sad, because we’re still drinking the best of it now.
With a number of local and international winemakers putting real money and people on the ground, the category is no longer a curiosity, either. WineGB’s latest industry report shows production settling at roughly 69% sparkling / 31% still (close to the long-term split), exports rising, and still-wine volumes growing by the month.
In layman’s terms, the wines are no longer “nice for England”; they’re table-stakes. This year, Nyetimber’s Blanc de Blancs 2016 Magnum even took IWC Champion Sparkling Wine—the first time a non-Champagne has ever done so—and Cherie Spriggs (also of Nyetimber) took Sparkling Winemaker of the Year (again).
And that’s just the start. I’ve tasted hundreds of bottles from every corner of the country—most of which have been fantastic, to be honest—and feel it is now my wine expert duty to share the very best among them. So, without further ado, these 12 English wines are those that truly reign supreme.
The 12 Best English Wines to Drink Now, Tried and Tested
1. Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs 2016 Magnum
The bottle that changed everything. As mentioned, Nyetimber’s Blanc de Blancs 2016 Magnum became the first non-Champagne to ever win Champion Sparkling Wine at the International Wine Challenge, and that’s a credo fairly difficult to challenge. It’s all mouthwatering citrus and chamomile, balanced by that signature English chalkiness, and the magnum format brings an added depth and generosity. Head winemaker Cherie Spriggs, still the only woman to ever hold the Sparkling Winemaker of the Year title, has crafted a wine that doesn’t just rival Champagne but beats the heavyweights blind.
2. Hambledon Blanc de Blancs Cuvée NV
Hambledon Vineyard Blanc de Blancs NV
Hambledon
A lesson in how good English Chardonnay can be, Hambledon’s flagship Blanc de Blancs is grown on Champagne-like belemnite chalk and spends four years on lees, lending it remarkable precision and texture. Expect lemon sorbet, quince and brioche on the nose, with a taut, saline finish that goes on and on. With 95 points from Decanter and a Gold at the 2025 WineGB Awards, it’s one of the clearest expressions of England’s terroir-driven potential.
3. Gusbourne Blanc de Noirs 2020
Gusbourne Blanc de Noirs 2020
Gusbourne
If you like your sparkling wine plush and red-fruited, Gusbourne’s Blanc de Noirs is a knockout. Extended lees ageing builds complexity around notes of raspberry, red apple and cherry, all wrapped up in a creamy, structured frame. It’s no wonder it scooped Gold and Best in Class at the 2023 Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships. This is English fizz with real depth.
4. Roebuck Estates Rosé de Noirs 2019
Roebuck Estates Rosé de Noirs 2019
Roebuck Estates
Roebuck might be one of England’s younger sparkling estates, but its Rosé de Noirs 2019 drinks with the confidence of a house twice its age. Pinot Noir leads the charge here, bringing elegant red berry fruit, subtle spice and a chalky lift on the finish. Vintage-only releases give this fizz extra gravitas and depth, while head of viticulture Jake Wicks’ global experience shows in every polished sip. A benchmark English rosé that’s as refined as it is refreshing.
5. Louis Pommery England Rosé NV
Louis Pommery England Rose Sparkling Wine
Louis Pommery
This collaboration between Champagne Pommery’s Clément Pierlot and winemaker Will Perkins at Pinglestone Estate is made for dinner parties; a a vibrant, mineral-driven rosé fizz alive with raspberry, citrus and clean, chalky acidity. It’s a masterclass in how French expertise and English fruit can elevate each other, and its Gold at the 2024 Decanter World Wine Awards speaks volumes.
6. Simpsons ‘Flint Fields’ Blanc de Noirs 2020
Simpsons ‘Flint Fields’ Blanc de Noirs 2020
Simpsons
Kent’s Simpsons proves just how expressive Pinot Noir can be attached to English soil. This Blanc de Noirs marries rosehip and quince with citrus peel and delicate pâtisserie notes, finishing bone-dry and beautifully poised. Its fine bead and savoury nuance make it feel far more expensive than its price tag suggests and, as a result, stands a a personal favorite in my household.
7. Hattingley Valley Blanc de Blancs 2018
Hattingley Valley Blanc de Blancs 2018
Hattingley Valley
Made from 100% Chardonnay and aged extensively on lees, Hattingley’s 2018 Blanc de Blancs is an elegant, brioche-scented showcase of a stellar vintage. Crisp green apple and citrus zest lead the way, supported by toasted nut and chalky minerality on the finish. With over 30 awards to its name, this is one of England’s most decorated sparkling wines and makes for a beautiful gift.
8. Bolney Lychgate Rosé 2023
Bolney Lychgate Rosé 2023
Bolney
Bolney’s subtly-sweet Provence-style rosé is a reminder that English still wines are no longer an afterthought. Typically crafted from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, it’s pale and delicate in colour but brimming with pink grapefruit, raspberry and lemon sherbet on the palate. A clean line of acidity and dry finish make it an easy match for charcuterie, fish pâtés or sunshine-y afternoons.
9. Sandridge Barton ‘Don’t Feed The Ponies’ Little Bee 2024
Sandridge Barton ‘Don’t Feed The Ponies’ Little Bee 2024
Sandridge Barton
For something wilder, turn to Devon’s Sandridge Barton and this skin-contact Pinot Gris, made with minimal intervention and packed with character. It’s all ruby grapefruit, blood orange and sour stone fruit, with soft tannins and taut acidity that build into a long, textured finish. As part of the estate’s natural wine range, it pushes English winemaking into more experimental territory, and even supports the Dartmoor Preservation Association with every bottle sold. A proper personal favorite.
10. Wayfarer Wines ‘Steve’s Blend’ Bacchus/Ortega 2024
An easy-drinking still white with serious charm, this blend layers elderflower and hedgerow florals over juicy apricot, white peach and yellow plum. It’s refreshing, crisp and deliciously moreish — a crowd-pleaser with enough depth to stand up to festive food. A WineGB Bronze medal winner for 2025, and a reminder that England’s whites can be every bit as exciting as its fizz.
11. Two Beacons Pinot Noir Précoce 2023
Great English reds are still rare, but this one proves they’re worth seeking out. I quite literally gasped on first sip. Early-ripening Pinot Noir Précoce brings aromas of dried rose and lavender, with bright redcurrant and cherry notes lifted by herbal spice. Structured tannins and vibrant acidity give it real presence, and its WineGB Silver and Decanter Bronze medals confirm it’s no novelty. A smart buy for English oenophiles wanting to keep it local.
12. Tinwood Blanc de Noir
A more delicate expression of Pinot Noir and Meunier, Tinwood’s Blanc de Noir is a study in subtlety. Notes of biscuit and blackcurrant float over a fine mousse and graceful acidity, finishing long, clean and quietly luxurious. Another one you’ll be proud to pour for Champagne lovers.
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