Who makes it?

Hattingley Valley continues to receive rightful acclaim for their wines. In 2008, the Robinson family started planting these Hampshire vineyards. There in England’s south, the estate makes a range of English sparkling that captures hearts. The vineyards make great use of chalk soils that are very similar to those of Champagne. 

In their range of wines, wines such as The English Gent that offer something different. The English Gent is indeed a fine English specimen being made from Bacchus and Pinot Gris. Of course, Bacchus is not a native grape but a German one. However, it is one that has become a quintessential English one. 

For more information on the Bacchus grape, click here to read Bacchus: An English wine story.

How do they make it?

The Hattingley Valley uses the classic trio of grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier. To give some extra fleshiness to the wine, a small portion of the base wine was barrel fermented in old seasoned oak. Along with partial malolactic fermentation. The small portion of reserve wine added to give the wine a soft roundness is also of a similar profile. That reserve wine also has a small portion of wine that has seen oak fermentation and maturation.

What also sets this wine apart though is the 48 months of time on lees in the bottle. This gives the wine an extra roundness, creaminess and softness.

For more information on lees, the dead yeast cells left over from ferment, please click here to read ‘What are lees?’.

What does it taste like?

This fizz has a fuller body and a richer creamy softness. If there is wine that is reminiscent of brioche, with that extended time on lees this is it. It is ripe and lush enough to only need a small dosage of sugar to balance it out. Just 5.5 gram/litre. The fruit is of citrus - oranges and lemons, apple along with nuts and minerality. The fresh acid drives the flavours of fruit and spice long and lingering.

What to drink it with?

Enjoy this wine with smoked salmon, or a baked fish with burnt butter and flaked almonds. Even a roast chicken or a Quiche Lorraine picnic. Alternatively, it will work with appetisers.

Cheese

Hattingley Valley Classic Reserve goes well with fresh and bloomy cheeses. Also with cheeses flavoured with fresh herbs. However, I can personally recommend that this wine goes very well with Saint-Nectaire cheese.

Quickie review « If you have never tried an English fizz before, this is a great starting place. »

Country of Origin:  Hampshire, England
Tasting Date: February 2025
Price:  UK £37 
Drink: now
Needs food: no
Source: tasting

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