My top 10 English wines of 2025
I am a big advocate of English wine. As we experience climate change it is becoming possible to produce wines that rival those in places like Champagne and quality is improving every year. With English wine, we are largely talking about whites and sparkling, but you will see a red in the list as well. The list includes a mix of luxury wines and those at more affordable prices. But suffice it say that it was at least possible, if not somewhat difficult, to choose ten wines which I have enjoyed this year.
1 – Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs 2016/2017
I was lucky to try this at a tasting a few months ago. The magnum version of this was awarded the title of Champion Sparkling Wine of 2025 at the International Wine Challenge, and for good reason. This wine is made exclusively from Chardonnay, and benefits hugely from aging on its lees. This wine gives some of the best vintage champagnes a run for their money. Expect citrus, cream and minerality on the palate as well as some beautiful secondary influences of brioche. The wine is elegant, complex and has a long finish.
2 – Nyetimber Classic Cuvée
The second wine is also a Nyetimber. This time the classic cuvée. For an entry level offering I think this takes some beating. Aged for at least three years it achieves a nice toasty, spicy aroma with hints of pastry from lees aging. You can also get flavours of honey, almond and baked apple. The balance is excellent, good acidity, but well balanced with the sugar, and layers of flavours which build on the palate. For me the extra time on the lees is what makes this wine sing with quality.
3 – Chapel Down Sparkling Rosé
I have written elsewhere about my decision to invest in Chapel Down in order to support English wine. I think that they make probably one of the best Rosé sparklings in England. For me it has a note of strawberries and cream or eton mess, but there are definitely hints of redcurrant. The fruit and acid are well balanced with the brioche and biscuity notes for lees aging. It also won a Decanter Best in Show award in 2024. It is elegant, but not pretentious, and for my money punches above its weight.
4 – Aldwick Estate Barrel Fermented Pinot Noir
Some readers may be suprised to see a red wine in the top 10, never mind the top 5, but I think the Barrel fermenting is what really helps this one, as well as the fact it is not filtered or fined. This is a medium bodied wine with strong red fruit influences of cherry and well integrated soft tannins and vanilla from the oak. I think Pinot Noir is a hard variety to get right, and for me the expression and handling here is very good. It is even more exceptional knowing it was produced in England!
5 – Brabourne Blanc de Noirs sparkling
Number 5 comes from a much smaller producer in Kent – Brabourne. This wine achieves complexity by building flavours and aromas of red apple, stone fruits, pastry, nuts and brioche. It has a great fresh acidity, but still achieves a decent mouth feel. I am a big fan of trying to work with what the grapes are expressing and at Brabourne its all about following the grape’s lead. As a result the wine isn’t over-produced, but reflects the terroir, the season, the conditions and the soils.
6 – Chapel Down A Touch of Sparkle Classic
Moving into a completely different style and flavour profile, the Touch of Sparkle is not a traditional method wine, but instead is produced using the tank or Prosecco method. For me it isn’t so much the method used as the choice of the Bacchus grape in the blend which brings a nettle, elderflower florality and grapefruit aroma / flavour profile. It is deeply refreshing with some tropical notes, but very easy drinking and suprisingly affordable. I’d go for this over a Prosecco pretty much every day of the week. It is more interesting and earthy.
7 – Nyetimber Tillington Single Vineyard 2016
This Pinot Noir led blend is characterised by citrus and red fruit – think raspberry and lemon. Baked apple, biscuit, pastry and nuttiness come through, showcasing the lees aging and complexity and smooth texture give this a very pleasant mouth feel. I’m a big fan of Pinot Noir driven sparkling wines, and this compares favourably with Bollinger and other high end champagnes.
8 – Chapel Down Bacchus
For similar reasons to the Touch of Sparkle I find this expression of the Bacchus grape particularly good. This is an aromatic and fresh style of wine, but it has complexity which comes largely from the grape itself. Expect searing acidity, pineapple, grapefruit, lime, goosebery, melon, green apple and a distinct floral and nettle note. It makes for a great session wine for those who like their wines dry, earthy and acidic. It comes in at a pretty affordable price as well for an English wine.
9 – Nyetimber Cuvee Chérie
Another wine from Nyetimber, but before you roll your eyes, this one is a demi-sec sparkling. That means this wine is going to pair nicely with your desserts or slightly spicy Asian dishes. The flavours and aromas are very citrus fruit driven – notes of lemon and tangerine, honied notes and nice balance between the acids and the sugars and some bready, biscuity notes on the finish. Luxurious and refined, with a residual sugar level which will suit those with a slightly sweeter tooth.
10 – Bowler & Brolly English Bacchus
When we think of English wine, we tend to assume we are paying a high price. This wine makes the list because its a great entry level offering which is accessible and not outrageously priced. The Bacchus grape is perhaps the most characteristic of the English Terroir with its nettle, gooseberry and citrus notes. This bottle is a great starting point for those who want to try something English, but don’t want to splash out on the more expensive sparkling offerings from the big names.
Conclusion
Thank you for taking the time to check out these recommendations, let me know if you try any of them. And keep exploring the beautiful planet we live on, one glass at a time!