Who makes it?

Louis Pommery is an English fizz with a difference. That being an English fizz from a famous Champagne house. Louis Pommery is the brand used by Champagne great Vranken Pommery for their sparkling wines from outside of France. There is this English version and there is also a Californian fizz. Louis Pommery England hails from Hampshire, to the south of London on mostly chalk rich soils. In the future, the wines will source grapes from Pommery’s newly planted Pinglestone Estate.  This planting, finished in 2019, means that in the meantime grapes are sourced from local growers. 

Of course, Vranken Pommery is not the first Champagne house to invest in producing sparkling wines in other countries. Winelovers from Australia are familiar with Chandon from the Yarra Valley, and so too USA based winelovers. In California, you will find not only Chandon, but also Roederer.

How do they make it?

This is a traditionally made sparkling wine. It says so right on the front label. Meaning that it has its second ferment in the bottle it is sold in after some time resting on lees (its dead yeast sediment). This is the same method used to make Champagne. The non vintage blend that is currently on release is Chardonnay 62%, Pinot Meunier 27% and Pinot Noir 11%. 

What does it taste like?

It has a very attractive nose of lemon and apple with some cream and almonds mixed in as well. Being a ‘Brut‘, this is a drier style. It is uncommon yet to find ‘zero dosage’ sparkling wines from England. It goes without saying that English grapes from chalk soils, need some balancing sugar in the final blend. (to read more about zero dosage Champagnes, click here) 

This fizz is not all about that acid line though. It has a soft buttery flavour at first, which finishes with complex toasted brioche and nougatine which lasts lingeringly. That carefully selected fruit when combined with the lees ageing has added some extra fruit weight too.

What to drink it with?

Louis Pommery England will prove to be rather versatile as a lunch or dinner companion. There is enough complexity to match some bigger savoury flavours so don’t just stick to freshly shucked oysters. I would think this will also work well with a herbed chicken salad or a cheese roulade.

Cheese?

Definitely a good match with soft bloomy cheeses!

Quickie review «English fizz done well. Complex with a soft approach that will have you pouring a second glass.»

Country of Origin: Hampshire, England 
Tasting Date: September 2021
Price:  UK £32 | AU$100 | US$
Drink: now – 4 years
Needs food: no
Source: tasting

Like the sound of Louis Pommery England, you can find more great English sparkling by clicking here.

Visit louis-pommery.com for more information.