Wiston Estate Brut West Sussex England

The NV Brut from Wiston has been a go-to English sparkler for some time now. The bunches are pressed using a traditional Coquard basket press. It has a steely, malic bouquet of dew-speckled Granny Smith apples, wet limestone and a touch of petrichor. It is almost like a Blanc de Blancs, reserved yet engaging. The palate is full of tension thanks to the driving acidity, though it is in no way a shrill sparkling wine. It is just sharp, with vivacious green apples intermixed with gooseberry and a touch of grapefruit on the finish. Excellent. Having regaled English sparkling wine to Antonio Galloni the previous day, it was only right that we chose a bottle of Non-Vintage Wiston Brut to commence. Wiston is one of the UK’s best producers and their sparklers genuinely give champagne a run for their money (and I write that as a person that criticized the category for many years).(NM)

A base of 2015, 40% reserve wines. Equal parts Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier from their estate vineyards in the South Downs in West Sussex. Yields just 15 hl/ha. Aged on lees in bottle for three years. Fresh orchard fruit, buckets of it, but also traces of honey and brioche and pistachio bring richness and sweetness. Finishes with a scalpel-sharp etch of acidity. *Good Value* (TC)

If you're gonna try just one English Sparkling wine to see what all the fuss is about...it should be this one...and it won't be your last! I've extensively tasted English wines from dozens of top producers over the last couple decades and in my opinion Wiston Estate stands head and shoulders above the rest. The commitment to quality here is second to none. This dedication to consistent excellence is perfectly illustrated by the long-term investment in their non-vintage program from the outset. Learning from centuries of experience in neighboring Champagne, Wiston recognized that the blending of vintages would not only create more consistency in their wines, but also better value for their customers. By holding back reserve wines for their non-vintage program, these wines have so much depth and complexity versus any of their peers. This incredible family estate on the grounds of a 16th century manor house captures the very best of the deep chalk soils so famed for the production of sparkling wines. They utilize traditional techniques such as basket pressing, barrel maturation for their base wines and very long ageing on the yeast lees. The Wiston Estate Brut has that magical combination of bright zesty citrus fruit, crunchy apple, baked bread, oyster shell, hazelnut, marmalade toast. Racy, electric acidity, lovely toasty nutty aromas and flavors that linger forever on the saline mineral finish. It's the real deal, the complete package, and it's under $30!