I hosted the wine night you wish you’d been at

If there’s anything better than having a bunch of mates over for dinner, and also having a fistful of English wines to taste as part of the process, I’d like to know what you suggest.

I mean, there’s having dinner with Jeff Goldblum, perhaps. But as far as joy-filled summer evenings go, this is hard to beat. And yes, it’s a tough job etc. But you’re here, so I’m assuming you’d like to know more about English wines. In which case it’s a good job we’ve selflessly tested a few out.

Wine and food are always the best bedfellows, so I fired up the barbie, cleaned the glasses at the back of the cupboard that never get used, and welcomed a small but motley crew to mine for a bit of expert assessment.

Meet your tasters

Would you buy a second-hand car off this lot? L-R this is Zoe Cunliffe, one half of the legendary Mixology Group, arguably the most functional half, as she deals with the outside world and chases down the business like a puma going full pelt. She also loves wine. Next comes yours truly, who knows a lot about everything, natch, including wine. Then you’ve got Myles Cunliffe, the second half of the Mixology Group, and definitely the one with the real viticultural knowledge. And finally Adrienne Palmer, who not only has a sterling background in dedicated wine drinking, she’s also an experienced licensee who now also works at the glorious Bolney vineyard.

I’d like to say that my daughter Lili and her boyfriend Dylan also joined in but they weren’t there from the start, so we couldn’t count their take. Which is just as well because by the time they steamed in, I was five wines deep with no clue what was going on.

Let’s get started.

Nyetimber Classic Cuvee Multi-Vintage 75cl, £42

They say:
The signature wine of Nyetimber is a classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier and is a perfect balance of elegance and intensity. The blend includes wines from all our vineyards and also from several vintages.
Find it here

We say:
Zoe: Citrus notes. Short, sharp, easy to drink.
Sam: Very fresh and lemony, very quaffable – could drink this all summer long.
Myles: Crisp, clean, gorgeous mouthfeel. Citrus fore and back. Great bubble structure. Bright and light – smashable.
Adrienne: Lemon sherbet and elderflower fizz.

Rathfinny Classic Cuvee Brut 2019 75cl, £38

They say:
Rathfinny 2019 Classic Cuvée is our ‘house-style’ English Sparkling Wine, made in the Traditional Method from Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay grapes grown and hand-harvested on the Rathfinny Wine Estate.
Find it here

We say:
Zoe: Nicer in a flute (we tried bubbles in both coupes and flutes). Very bubbly, a little bicarbonate. Not one to chug, not a lot going on.
Sam: Very bubbly, more mousse than expected. Good wine but would’ve liked a bit more warmth or depth.
Myles: Huge biscuits, shortbread, buttery finish. Chewy texture. Buttered apple but short finish.
Adrienne: Classic, with not a lot going on. Preferred in a coupe glass.

 

Plumpton Estate Bacchus Reserve Lot 324 75cl, £25.95

They say:
The Plumpton Wine Estate is located in a beautiful countryside area of Sussex located on rolling hills that capture the sunny afternoon weather. This Bacchus is created with hand-picked grapes grown on small plots over sandstone soils. This has notes of dried apricots, honeysuckle and melon, followed with a more herbal touch of lime and fennel. Bracing acidity and a creamy palette.
Find it here (Not currently available on their website but can be bought through other retailers)

We say:
Zoe: Smooth and elegant. Greengages, elderflower, lemon. Smells better than it tastes. Not memorable or a standout for the grape.
Sam: Light and easily drinkable. Expected more tropical notes, but leaned citrussy. A refined wine, but surprising.
Myles: Elderflower, citrus, greengages. High acidity. Noticeable sulphur.
Adrienne: Lime notes. Neutral. More like Pinot Grigio.

Chapel Down Flint Dry 2023 £16 bottle

They say:
Chapel Down Flint Dry 2023 is a crisp and fresh white wine with notes of apple, pear, and citrus. This refreshing wine pairs perfectly with chicken, seafood, and salads.
Find it here (hard to find this year now, think it might have sold out everywhere)

We say:
Zoe: Gooseberry. Light in colour.
Sam: Bone dry, super elegant. Crisp with lemon ‘Space Dust’ vibes. A standout wine.
Myles: Gooseberry, greengage, greenhouse. High acidity, well-integrated alcohol, green apples.
Adrienne: Tomato leaf note stood out.

 

Bolney Estate Rosé Lychgate 2023 75cl, price £16

They say:
Our Lychgate Rosé 2023 is bursting with fresh stone-fruit and raspberry flavours and is perfect for sipping at home in the sun or enjoying at our Estate whilst admiring the spring vines.
Find it here

We say:
Zoe: Raspberries and cotton candy. Smells sweeter than it tastes.
Sam: Light and easily drinkable, bit sweet for me. Perfect for quaffing in the sun and having with seafood though.
Myles: Crisp raspberries and berries. Light.
Adrienne: Off-dry. A good food wine.

Balfour Pinot Noir 1503 Red 2023 75cl £20

They say:
Balfour have a reputation for producing some of England’s very best red wines. The 1503 Pinot Noir is made from a Burgundy grape in one of the estate’s warmest vineyards allowing for optimal ripeness and expression of flavour. Aged for a short time in new oak the elegant, fruity notes classic of Pinot shine through. (Exclusive to Majestic)
Find it here

We say:
Zoe: Light in colour. Soft and mouth-filling. Notes of pepper and cassis.
Sam: Amazing wine. Light in colour, soft and velvety. Could be served chilled or room temp. Star wine of the night.
Myles: Delicious. Well-structured fruit with delicate tannins.
Adrienne: Smooth, round, light. Strong blackberry note.