Ridgeview "Bloomsbury" Brut Sparkling Wine 2014 (around $42.99)
England
Sparkling wine from England? My friends looked at me as if a bottle of wine from Mars had landed on the bar. But I knew we were in for a very special treat. Wine geeks have been raving about the increasingly excellent quality of sparkling wines from England and I was eager to pop the cork on this bottle of Ridgeview. Founded in 1994, this family-owned and operated winery has been described as the "granddaddy of English sparkling-wine producers" by wine authority extraordinaire Jancis Robinson. A winner of many important wine awards (including "Best Sparkling Wine, Including Champagne" at the prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards), Ridgeview wines have been served to world leaders at state banquets hosted by Her Majesty. Produced in the traditional Champagne method, Bloomsbury Brut is a classic sparkling blend of mostly Chardonnay with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Crisp and refreshing with fine bubbles, lively citrus flavors, and a finish as long as a train on a royal wedding dress, this British beauty is a superb introduction to English sparkling wine.
