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WINE OF THE WEEK: Bluebell Vineyard Hindleap Rosé Brut 2014, England


£29.95, Bluebell Vineyard Estates


Hindleap rosé

English Wine Week starts on Saturday. There's no guarantee of good weather, especially as there's a bank holiday involved, but there'll be no shortage of English wines on offer and more than 200 UK vineyards are now open to the public (you didn't know? Check out englishwineproducers.com). The producer of this week's wine, Bluebell Vineyard Estates on the edge of the Ashdown Forest in East Sussex, is open Monday to Saturday 10am–4pm (bluebellvineyard.org, 01825 791561). I could have chosen any number of excellent English wines, and not just sparkling, but I've picked Hindleap's rosé because it's top quality fizz on a charm offensive. Made from the Champagne grapes Pinot Noir and Meunier and in the same way as Champagne (including ageing on its flavour- and texture-enriching lees for 30 months), it has cushion-soft bubbles, gorgeous strawberry and cranberry fruit, touches of peach and gingerbread-spice and nimble, fresh acidity. A perfect aperitif, rain or shine.

Bluebell Vineyard Estates Hindleap Rosé Brut 2014, England

£29.95, bluebellvineyard.org. Delivery is free for 3 or more bottles.

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