The Bath & Wiltshire Parent’s wine columnist, Ben Franks FRSA, shares his favourite rosé sparkling wines to share this Valentine’s day
Happy Valentine’s! Whether you’re planning to enjoy it with a loved one or meet up with a group of friends to while away the evening with a good film or night out on the town, it’s a first excuse in a grey and wet start to the year to celebrate – and nothing says celebration quite like a great glass of fizz!
It might be a little clichéd to jump on the pink wine bandwagon for a festival of love, but if you don’t usually opt for rosé sparkling wines, then you’re missing out. These are often premium products in a sparkling producer’s portfolio and it takes a lot of thought and time to make a great rosé fizz. In England especially, some of our finest sparkling wines are pink.
Hampshire-based vineyard
My recommendations – unsurprisingly to those who know me – kick off with the Hampshire-based vineyard, Raimes. One of my all-time favourite home-grown producers, these vintage-led sparkling wines are always memorable.
While the Raimes Vintage Rosé 2015 is a punchy £41.99 (Buy online at novelwines.co.uk), it is a deep and vibrant style of sparkling. Summer berries, damson plums, apple cream and zesty lemon all combine with a long, satisfying finish. Great with food – think poached salmon, soy-based stir fries or crispy duck. This is the date night meal wine to die for.
Dorset wine legend
Another brilliant producer, this time in Dorset, is Bride Valley Vineyard. These vines were planted by the wine legend Stephen Spurrier and continue to be looked after today by his wife Bella.
They have a wonderful rosé fizz from the warm 2018 vintage (£32.99, Novel Wines), bringing together English red fruits like cranberries, redcurrants and raspberries, with a juicy and vibrant finish. This more youthful sparkling wine is a great aperitif to get the night started.
Wiltshire-based Bluestone Vineyards
One newer entry to the English wine scene at the top-end and producing some impressive fizz is the Wiltshire-based Bluestone Vineyards, owned by the McConnell family.
Brothers Nat and Toby have released a 22-month lees aged rosé sparkling from the 2019 vintage (£37.99, Novel Wines) and it’s magnificent! Layers of red fruits over zingy crab apple and buttery pastry, this is a special fizz for that very special someone.
If English fizz is a little too expensive – although bear in mind you’re getting Champagne quality wines so for vintage rosé sparkling, the pricing is very competitive – then let’s venture into what Novel Wines does best, our Central and Eastern European wines.
Big style rosé
Bargains can be had here with the volcanic, mouth-watering and rich sparkling St Donat ‘Magma’ Rosé Sparkling (£25.99, Novel Wines) from the shores of Lake Balaton in Hungary. This is a big style rosé sparkling that’s perfect with buttery risottos or shellfish paella dishes.
Rich and dry
The Magma is dry and rich, so if you want something more fruit-led with a touch higher dosage, the Balla Geza ‘Clarus’ Rosé Sparkling Brut (£24.99, Novel Wines) from Romania’s Minis Hill vineyard at the gateway to the Carpathian Mountains is bursting with pink grapefruit and berries. Both these wines are fruity because it’s much warmer in Hungary and Romania than Champagne, but they are otherwise both made in the same, careful traditional method for the best fizz.
Firm customer favourite
Finally, we can’t leave a round-up of beautiful sparkling rosé wines without mentioning Miha Istenic’s family in Bizeljsko, Slovenia. His Gourmet Rosé 2018 (£25.99, Novel Wines) is a firm customer favourite and it’s easy to see why once you’ve tried it.
Long lees-ageing gives it creaminess, structure and plenty of depth. The bubbles are soft and smooth. It’s a beautiful wine and a real all-rounder, whether you’re sipping it over your starters or enjoying it with friends in front of a nostalgic rom-com. The Istenic Gourmet Rosé Brut is easy to love.
Enjoy 10% off over 300 wines at Novel Wines by using the code ‘BATHPARENT’ at www.novelwines.co.uk
You can find more wines to try with over 300 truly unique wines sourced by Ben and the team at www.novelwines.co.uk.