| September 9, 2008 |
Terry Kirby in the Independent (14 July 2008) selects his top 10 rosés and includes an interesting sparkling rosé from Ridgeview Vineyards in Sussex – the rather splendidly named Ridgeview Merret Fitzrovia (£19.00): “Made on the Sussex downs, using traditional Champagne grapes and methods, this stunning, sophisticated wine demonstrates how English producers canmatch anything the French can do. Perfect for summer celebrations.”
Ridgeview names its ranges after central London districts, hence Bloomsbury, Belgravia, Pimlico etc. They are rightly proud of their production, and Champagne-style wines are potentially ideal for UK vineyards – they are confident enough to arrange a blind tasting and comparison of Ridgeview vs major Champagne brands – contact them for details of the event on Tuesday 9 September 2008. For more info see www.ridgeview.co.uk
The other rosés in the selection included France, Australia, South Africa, Italy and Portugal.
St Chinian in the Languedoc is not best known for its rosés, but Majestic Wine’s Chateau Cazal Viel Vieux Vignes – “big bold flavours” £6.49 (or £5.49 if you buy two or more); Tasmania offers another sparkler with the Pinot Noir based Clover Hill Brut Rosé from Oddbins – “a lovely salmon-pink and is packed with delicate fruit flavours” (£16.99 or £14.15 if you buy 6);
