English sparkling wine makes a lovely gift for any occasion and can suit a range of tastes and budgets. For a classic gift that will please any wine lover, look for a Brut Non-Vintage English Sparkling Wine. These will have been carefully blended from a range of base wines by the winemaker. Therefore, they will usually reflect their house ‘style’ and will often bring a lovely balance of fruit and toasty notes. These bottles can serve both as a great aperitif and pair very well with fish dishes- or perhaps KFC! Outstanding examples include Langham Corallian NV or Harrow and Hope’s Brut Reserve.
So, for a gift to mark a special birthday or anniversary, a vintage English Sparkling wine could be a great choice. These are wines which feature base wines from just one vintage, and often reflect the particular characteristics of that year. They are often capable of ageing for a long time, and thus could make lovely presents for a future 18th or 21st Birthday. 2014 and 2018 are amongst the best vintages for English Sparkling Wine. We have a range available in store and on-line from both vintages.
Something sweet as a gift?
If the lucky giftee is a little more sweet-toothed recipient, a demi-sec sparkler might just hit the spot. These wines have a little more sugar added after the disgorgement and, while never sickly, have a sweet lift which makes them a perfect partner to dessert. Try the Raimes Demi-Sec, or Nyetimber’s ‘Cuvee Cherie’. These would be lovely paired with fruit salad or apple pie, or perhaps some rich blue cheese.
For a truly special occasion, you could consider an older vintage bottle. Nyetimber’s 1086 Prestige Cuvee, for example, is based on their 2010 vintage, and is widely regarded as rivalling some of the finest champagnes in quality. This would be a grand gift for a truly special occasion.
