Winbirri, Solaris, 2019, Norfolk, UK
A few years ago Winbirri won a Decanter world wine award trophy which is some achievement. That was for their Bacchus but their Solaris is very good, it’s dry and crisp but with a softness that is very palatable. Lemon, blossom and stone fruit flavours with a slight tartness on the end makes this perfect for fish, salad or as an aperitif.
At 13 a bottle it’s what English wine usually costs, it’s a shame as it puts people off trying English wine.
Chet Valley, Jubilee Blanc de Blanc 2020, Norfolk, UK
Chet Valley, Jubilee Blanc de Blanc 2020 from Norfolk was made with the Queen’s 70th jubilee celebrations in mind. It’s easy to dismiss this as all marketing, but this is truly an excellent sparkling wine. Made with 100% chardonnay it has many characteristics of champagne but is that little bit lighter with slightly less toasty notes and more fruit driven.
It’s got to be one of the best English sparkling wines I tried in a long time. It’s a shame that it’s £30 a bottle because it would put people off, but that’s the cost of champagne beating wine from the UK.
Chet & Waveney, Solaris, 2017, Norfolk, UK
Chet & Waveney is in Norfolk in the UK and has been making wine for a while and for a while its been good stuff. In the last year they have built a new winery and expanded. This white is made with the Solaris grape and while from 2017, its still excellent.
Its light on the nose but has favours of goosebery, lemon, lime and grapefruit with decent length and freshness that you can’t help but want another glass. its not complicated or fussy.
This is what I like about english wine, its just enjoyable.