Ridgeview’s Grosvenor has been named the best sparkling wine in the world by the leading wine publication Decanter magazine. Beating the elite competition from France, the international award winning fizz took the prize. The tipple was said to be “Very refined and refreshing palate… vivacious acidity, minerality, precision of flavour. Stunning.”

The family run estate that is Ridgeview Winery is located in the South of England, the owner admitting that it “bears an uncanny similarity to the Champagne region” of France. Founded by Michael and Christine Roberts, the pair had previously started and run a highly successful computer hardware and software business before founding the winery in 1994. After selling the latter to a US computer manufacturer, they gave up the cutthroat world of IT in exchange for the equally competitive business of making fine wine (however “The people are much nicer”, notes Mike).

While legally champagne can only be known as such if it is produced in the Champagne region of France, Sussex’s South Downs (where the Ridgeview Winery is located) are only a little further North themselves. Indeed, as with all their sparkling wines, Ridgeview’s Grosvenor is fermented with yeast specially prepared by the Institute nologique de Champagne.

Its characteristic yeasty Brioche breadiness, hinted at when the bottle is first opened and becoming more noticeable with ageing, accompanied by its distinctive fruit flavours and citrus characters make Ridgview’s Grosvenor a scintillating tipple, these qualities only emphasised by its lovely fine mousse and gold colour. But don’t just take Decanter magazine’s expert judges’ – or our – word for it!

The full range of Ridgeview Sparkling wines can be found here at Classic Wine Direct. And, if you’re not in the mood for something sparkling, we have an excellent range of other top quality wines, whether you fancy red, white or rose. It’s up to you!!

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