When you’re looking to make the most of these late summer nights or are enjoying the best of the bright weekends while they last, you’ll no doubt want to toast the end of summer in style. If you’re looking for some light reds, tasty whites, a rosé or two and a fantastic range of sparkling wines, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to discover some of our favourite picks with which to end the season on a high.
Sparkling
Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut Rosé 2022
In 2004, Simonsig winemaker Johan Malan, created an innovative taste sensation by blending Pinot Noir with Pinotage and Pinot Meunier to launch the Kaapse Vonkel Brut Rosé.
With a delightful pale salmon colour, this vibrant Cap Classique has an elegant bubble with persistent mousse. The nose is captivating, with aromas of wild strawberries, field flowers, and sourdough bread. The palate is fresh and fruity, with flavours of fresh strawberries and raspberry sorbet. Crisp acidity contributes freshness and flair to this delicate Cap Classique rosé – the ideal tipple for any special occasion.
Kaapse Vonkel Brut Rosé is excellent on its own, and it can also pair well with most seafood dishes, especially West Coast Rock Lobster, a seasonal Cape Town delicacy. Finally, it can also be enjoyed with fresh seasonal berries or any other light dessert.
Price: £14.99
Where to buy: thegeneralwine.co.uk, simplywinesdirect.uk, vegantipples.co.uk
Kleine Zalze Cap Classique Brut NV
A traditional MCC, showing elegance and complexity with a long finish, this is created in the Western Cape and is made up of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir grapes. Aromas of strawberry and blackberry fruit flavours are complemented by classic biscuit bouquet richness. A lively fine mousse transforms this wine into an unforgettable sparkling sensation. Pair with fish, shellfish, aperitif and light salads.
Price: £20.95
Where to buy: cheerswinemerchants.co.uk, ampswinemerchants.co.uk
Hambledon Classic Cuvee English Sparkling Wine
Hambledon is England’s oldest commercial vineyard, established in 1952. The Newhaven chalk on which the vines grow was formed on the seabed of the Paris basin some 65 million years ago and is found in the best Chardonnay areas of the Côtes des Blancs in Champagne.
The signature Hambledon Classic Cuvée is produced exclusively from Hambledon’s own estate on the Southeast facing chalk slopes of Windmill Down, in the historic village of Hambledon.
A blend of 52% Chardonnay, 32% Pinot Noir and 17% Pinot Meunier, from the 2018 harvest with tank-aged reserve wines added Hambledon Classic Cuvée is aged at least 35 months. It is vibrant with structured yet ripe acidity and tasting will elegantly unfold to reveal layers of floral and stone fruit aromas.
Price: £29.99
Where to buy: thebottleclub.com
Chapel Down Brut NV
Chapel Down Brut NV is a best-selling and award-winning English sparkling wine – a classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier but also includes Pinot Blanc. Pinot Blanc provides a key point of differentiation, imparting a standout floral delicacy.
Regarding tasting notes, Chapel Down Brut NV boasts aromas of red apple, lemongrass, and freshly baked bread together with hints of strawberry and quince on the palate and fine persistent bubbles. This is ideal as an aperitif or a perfect pairing to fish and chicken.
Price: £29.99
Where to buy: thebottleclub.com
Langham Wine Estate Corallian Classic Cuvée NV
Highly acclaimed Langham Wine Estate has released its newest edition of Corallian Classic Cuvée NV, a Chardonnay-dominant blend named after the coral-rich limestone rock strata found 300 metres beneath the vineyard at Crawthorne Farm.
The Langham Wine Estate is a single vineyard estate nestled in the beautiful Dorset countryside. Taking the greatest of care and pride in their craft, they hand harvest their fruit and take a low intervention approach to wine-making, with all of their wines both vegan and vegetarian friendly. With a south-facing aspect, chalk soils and a unique microclimate, Langham’s 75 acre vineyard provides the perfect terroir for ripening the classic Champagne varieties – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
Langham’s Corallian is produced from 86% 2021 vintage and 14% reserve wine. Grape varieties include 70% Chardonnay, 21% Pinot Noir and 9% Pinot Meunier. This wine balances sweet fruit and savoury complexity on the nose, with apple blossom and ripe pear, green tea and sea spray. The tense palate has energy and bounce, dancing between salted lemons and caramelised pineapple. Pair with fresh shellfish, especially the excellent oysters and crab from the Dorset coast.
Price: £31.95
Where to buy: langhamwine.co.uk
EPC Blanc De Blancs Champagne
The EPC Blanc de Blancs Champagne sparkles with a pale gold colour and a gentle flurry of fine bubbles. Aromas of crisp apple, pear, and citrus are accented by subtle mineral notes and a hint of toast. On the palate, the pure Chardonnay profile shines through with vibrant acidity, a creamy mousse, and nuanced flavours of lemon zest, green apple, and a touch of almond. The finish is refreshing and lingering, inviting another taste of this exemplary Champagne.
Perfect for special occasions or to elevate any meal, EPC Blanc de Blancs is a celebration of the art of Champagne in every bubble.
Price: £46.49
Where to buy: thebottleclub.com
Hambledon Première Cuvée English Sparkling Wine
This award-winning Première Cuvée is produced exclusively from Hambledon’s own estate on the Southeast facing chalk slopes of Windmill Down, in the historic village of Hambledon.
A blend of 67% Chardonnay, 11% Pinot Noir and 22% Pinot Meunier, mostly from the 2014 harvest, with barrel-aged reserve wines, it is aged at least 62 months on the lees. Tasting will reveal sweet notes of ripe yellow and white summer fruits, followed by buttery pastry aromas, delivering a creamy yet elegant texture.
Price: £49.49
Where to buy: thebottleclub.com
Hattingley Valley Blanc de Blancs 2015
Pale golden in colour, with a soft persistent mousse, this Blanc de Blancs has the fragrant aromas of blossom, violets and lemon zest on the nose, layered with notes of brioche and fresh apple pastries. These aromas continue on the palate, adding candied lemon, caramel and honeycomb. Perfectly balanced, this wine has a crisp acidity and wonderfully creamy texture from oak ageing that gives way to a long and complex finish.
Pairs beautifully with sea bass in a white sauce with fennel purée or, for a starter, a delicious smoked trout pâte.
Price: £49
Where to buy: hattingleyvalley.com
The Roebuck Rare Expressions Range: Roebuck Rare Expressions No. 19
LLM TOP PICK
The Roebuck Rare Expressions range is a special collection of limited-edition vintage sparkling wines that showcase the finest expression of a particular place, grape variety or moment in time. Only 2,500 bottles of this exceptional sparkling wine have been produced, and each bottle has an individual bottling number, highlighting just how rare it is and making every bottle special.
The debut expression in the range is the Roebuck Rare Expressions No.19, which is a wonderful expression of a particular place – Block 19 at Roebuck’s Roman Villa vineyard in West Sussex. Nestled in a blissfully serene valley at the foothills of the South Downs lies the Roman Villa vineyard – one of the most impressive Roman sites in West Sussex – where the fruit for this particular wine was grown. The bottle also features a special label that tells the story behind the vintage – in this case, a mosaic design that is inspired by the landscape of the vineyard.
This Roebuck Rare Expressions No. 19 bears the hallmark of Roebuck’s signature style – structure, depth of flavour, and layers of complexity, enhanced by a long period of ageing in bottle. A rich, yet beautifully balanced wine, deep golden in colour, this delectable sparkling wine delivers delightful notes of ripe peach, baked apples and honeysuckle, layered with hints of toasted almonds, delicate bubbles, and a silky texture leading to a long-lingering finish.
The now multi-award-winning Roebuck Estates was founded in 2013 by two friends who shared a vision: to create premium vintage sparkling wines from the finest English vineyard sites, leaving only the lightest footprint on the environment. Their home vineyard is also open to the public, and they offer a range of events throughout the summer months and into late September, including Tours and Tastings, Sunset Sippings and Feasts in the Vines.
Price: £95
Where to buy: roebuckestates.co.uk
White
Louis Jadot Mâcon Blanc Villages 2022
This is an extremely well made and balanced Chardonnay from Mâconnaise, France, showing the lovely ripe fruit of the region. It gives a balanced wine with a soft, gentle creamy mouthfeel with crisp apple characters all balanced by just enough fresh acidity.
Price: £17.35
Where to buy: tesco.com, ocado.com
Errazuriz Aconcagua Costa Chardonnay 2021
Errazuriz Aconcagua Costa Chardonnay is a delightful expression of cool-climate Chardonnay sourced from Chile’s coastal Aconcagua Valley. It features intense aromas of tropical fruits like pineapple and passion fruit, subtler notes of apple and pear, and a hint of vanilla spice.
Price: £19
Where to buy: oxfordwine.co.uk
Joseph Mellot Sancerre Graveliere 2022
From the Loire region of France, this 13.5% wine features a powerful nose with floral and fruity aromas of passionfruit and orange. There is an elegant balance between freshness and structure.
Price: £26
Where to buy: ampswinemerchants.co.uk
Louis Jadot Chablis Cellier du Valvan 2022
This is a very elegant Chablis bursting with white flowers and stone fruits aromas. This wine is round and subtle on the palate, boasts a long finish with a stony character and a fresh acidity that leaves you wanting more. Delicious paired with roast chicken and also excellent with mild creamy cheeses as well as strong, mature cheese.
Price: £29.15
Where to buy: ocado.com
2021 Carneros Estate Chardonnay
Carneros Estate Chardonnay is sourced from several blocks of various Chardonnay clones, planted in 2013 and 2016, and is light straw to gold in colour, with aromas of lemon, apple, lime and a touch of cinnamon. The palate is mineral-focused, with notes of peach, Asian pear and white pepper. Crisp and intense, the finish leaves a lingering spice note held together by elegant acidity.
Price: $75
Where to buy: thedonumestate.com
Red
Solevari Pinot Noir 2022, Romania
Thin skinned and rot prone Pinot Noir is notoriously difficult to make around the world, however the local climatic conditions encourage the development and depth of flavour. The winemaking of the 2017 Solevari Pinot Noir remained simple and the skins were only worked slightly to achieve soft tannins and sweet fruit. Oak is used and balanced with flavour intensity. The 2017 Pinot was bottled early to retain freshness. The resulting wine is a purple/red wine that sits at 13.5% alcohol. Medium bodied, it has intense red and black fruits (sour cherries, blueberries, cranberries) and pleasant tannins with a spicy finish.
Price: £10.99
Where to buy: majestic.co.uk
Errázuriz Estate Reserva Pinot Noir 2023
The wine has a beautiful ruby red colour and presents delicate aromas of red fruits such as strawberries, cherries, and plums, along with delicate touches flowers and balsamic. It is fresh and juicy on the palate, with elegant tannins and bright acidity with great persistence. Pair with grilled and roasted red meats like lamb chops and grilled vegetables.
Price: £11.90
Where to buy: asda.com, waitrose.com, tesco.com
Errázuriz Aconcagua Costa’ Pinot Noir 2022
The grapes for Aconcagua Costa Pinot Noir were sourced from the Aconcagua Costa vineyard, located 12 kilometres from the Pacific Ocean. Planted by Viña Errázuriz in 2005 and 2009, the soil is composed of a thin layer of loamy texture and placed on a clay and metamorphic rock (slate/schist), providing the mineral notes present in the wines that are grown in these vineyards.
On the nose, this Pinot Noir is very intense, showing red fruits as raspberries, accompanied by floral notes that remind of rosehip, all framed by spices and a smoky note. The palate is dominated by fresh red fruits and floral notes with soft balsamic touches. It has great structure, tension and freshness, with polished and rounded tannins that make it a very attractive wine, and easy to drink. Enjoy with grilled and roasted red meats, and dishes like seared tuna with soy and spring onions.
Price: £15.99
Where to buy: tauruswines.co.uk
Errázuriz Wild Ferment Pinot Noir 2022
Wild Ferment Pinot Noir displays a beautiful violet-red colour and boasts aromas of fresh red fruits such as cherries, rosehips, and moist earth, all framed by soft notes of vanilla and cloves. In the mouth, predominate notes of fresh red fruits such as cherry and strawberry are accompanied by soft notes of chocolate, dill and dried fruits. It is a vertical wine, with an excellent structure, freshness and juiciness and great persistence on the palate.
Price: £16.45
Where to buy: Wholefoods or vinvm.co.uk
2021 Carneros Estate Pinot Noir
The Carneros Pinot Noir is the estate’s flagship wine made every vintage since Donum’s inception in 2001. Blended from vineyard blocks spanning the Estate, the blend is carefully assembled using only barrels that meet rigorous quality standards. The 2021 vintage exhibits a bright ruby hue with aromas of toasted oak, blackberry, cherry and sassafras. The palate echoes the spicy, dark fruit nose, with notes of bright raspberry and clay. Beautifully balanced between fruit and spice, the 2021 Carneros Estate Pinot Noir finishes with smooth, rich tannins.
Price: $95
Where to buy: thedonumestate.com
Rosé
AJISAÏ Première Pressée, Bordeaux Rosé, 2023
The Baylet family has cherished and cultivated their terroir for three generations to produce wines that cater to both modern and traditional tastes. The estate, which is located in the hills of Entre-Deux-Mers, produces white, red, rosé and Clairet wines.
The Baylets practice farming methods that work in harmony with the soil’s life, preserve the ecosystem, and maintain a balance among the plants, promoting sustainable agriculture. Vignobles Baylet has been awarded the highest certification in agriculture – the High Environmental Value certification – as well as the BEE Friendly certification, which guarantees sustainable agriculture and encourages the adoption of practices to preserve pollinators and biodiversity.
This is made from 100% Merlot grapes and only the first pressed juices are used. Ajisaï Première Pressée is a floral wine with captivating pomelo and grapefruit notes and it is perfect for pairing with delicately spiced Asian dishes.
Price: £15.50
Where to buy: earlewines.com
2023 Carneros Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir
This rosé is sourced from a select block of Dijon 115 clone grapes Noir from the Carneros Estate. This particular Pinot Noir clone was chosen for its great natural acidity, delicate fruit profile and thinner skins. By applying the same rigorous standards as the Pinot Noir, the resulting rosé is rich in complexity.
Pale salmon in colour, with a tinge of pink, the 2023 Rosé of Pinot Noir opens with aromas of lime, apple and cranberry with a subtle note of peach blossom. On the palate, it delivers a vibrant medley of strawberry, honeydew melon, green apple and lemon, culminating in a lingering salty finish reflecting the estate’s close proximity to the San Pablo Bay.
Price: $50
Where to buy: thedonumestate.com
All prices were correct at the time of publishing.
