The Society's Exhibition English Sparkling Wine NV view 1

The Society's Exhibition English Sparkling Wine NV view 2

The Society's Exhibition English Sparkling Wine NV view 3

The Society's Exhibition English Sparkling Wine NV

The Society's Exhibition English Sparkling Wine NV

Sparkling Wine from England

3 Reviews

Produced exclusively for us by Ridgeview in Sussex this classic method sparkling wine uses the three classic Champagne grapes of pinots noir and meunier, and chardonnay and has spent further time on the lees to give extra savoury character alongside the taut citrus and apple notes. Perfect for celebrating the English spring and summer.

£24.00 Bottle

£144.00 Case of 6

In Stock

Code: SG3511

Wine characteristics

Sparkling Wine
2 - Dry
Pinot Noir Meunier Chardonnay
75cl
Within two years of purchase
12% Alcohol
no oak influence
Champagne cork

Ridgeview Wine Estate

The South Downs of Sussex are found on the same geological formation (limestone on top of a sandstone bed) that continues through the east of France down to Champagne. It is no surprise therefore that the soils at The Ridgeview Estate are conducive to the production of grapes needed for premium quality sparkling wine. Just seven miles from the sea the winters here are mild too with the hills creating a rain shadow to keep the vineyards comparatively dry and sheltered.

Founded in 1994 by the late and sadly missed Mike Roberts with his wife Christine, the estate produces fine bubbly from the three Champagne grapes, chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier, according to the méthode traditionnelle of secondary fermentation in bottle, and a period of maturation before disgorging. The Merret cuvées are named in honour of Christopher Merret, a 17^th century doctor, scientist and glassmaker who in 1662 - over thirty years before Dom Pérignon - was the first to set down on paper the process of dosing wine with sugar provoke a secondary fermentation.

Expert Reviews

The best introduction to English sparkling wine. Lucky Wine Society members can enjoy this exclusively produced sparkling wine from the Ridgeview estate. Its prized spot on the Sussex South Downs boasts...

The best introduction to English sparkling wine. Lucky Wine Society members can enjoy this exclusively produced sparkling wine from the Ridgeview estate. Its prized spot on the Sussex South Downs boasts the same geological formation as Champagne’s soils (limestone on top of sandstone) and has created a wonderful introduction to English sparkling wine, bursting with zesty acidity. Made using the classic three grapes and using the traditional method, this wine is bone dry with a pronounced grapefruity citrus aroma and plenty of the classic British green apple flavour. Having spent time on the lees we’d expect yeasty bread notes but in this wine it translates further into a deep savoury note that adds depth and interest. This is an accomplished wine at an accessible price (for English sparkling, anyway) and is absolutely delicious in place of the classic Champagne and fish and chips pairing.

Read more

Joanne Gould

Friday 30th Sep 2022

Press Association

Made ... by Ridgeview – award-winning sparkling wine producer and among the first pioneers of English wine – these fresh, feisty bubbles combine attractive apple and lemony flavours with minerally...

Made ... by Ridgeview – award-winning sparkling wine producer and among the first pioneers of English wine – these fresh, feisty bubbles combine attractive apple and lemony flavours with minerally undertones giving way to a zesty citrusy finish. A perfect match with crispy battered fish and chips with tartar sauce.

Read more

Sam Wylie Harris

Thursday 15th Sep 2022

matthewjukes.com

Produced exclusively for TWS by Ridgeview in Sussex, this is a delicious, forward-drinking sparkler with a complete palate and a keen price tag. It is rare to find English fizz of this class at this...

Produced exclusively for TWS by Ridgeview in Sussex, this is a delicious, forward-drinking sparkler with a complete palate and a keen price tag. It is rare to find English fizz of this class at this price.

Read more

Matthew Jukes

Wednesday 13th Jul 2022

Midweek Wines

Outperforms many similarly priced champagnes. While £24 wine is not an everyday purchase, this knocks spots off many champagnes at the same price. Made by a prominent producer in Sussex, it uses the three ...

Outperforms many similarly priced champagnes. While £24 wine is not an everyday purchase, this knocks spots off many champagnes at the same price. Made by a prominent producer in Sussex, it uses the three classic champagne grapes and has lees aging that adroitly adds depth and contrast. Nicely textured with busy bubbles, [this wine] brings us soft melon and green apple flavours. Those elements are nicely rounded off by citrus pith influences, spring flower aromas and zesty grapefruit acidity.

Read more

Brian Elliott

Thursday 14th Jul 2022

Midweek Wines

Outperforms many similarly priced champagnes. While £24 wine is not an everyday purchase, this knocks spots off many champagnes at the same price. Made by a prominent producer in Sussex, it uses the three ...

Outperforms many similarly priced champagnes. While £24 wine is not an everyday purchase, this knocks spots off many champagnes at the same price. Made by a prominent producer in Sussex, it uses the three classic champagne grapes and has lees aging that adroitly adds depth and contrast. Nicely textured with busy bubbles, [this wine] brings us soft melon and green apple flavours. Those elements are nicely rounded off by citrus pith influences, spring flower aromas and zesty grapefruit acidity.

Read more

Brian Elliott

Thursday 14th Jul 2022

The Times

With more than 70 per cent of our vineyards planted to the Champagne trio of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier, top dog bubbly is what England does best. Our green and pleasant land effortlessly...

With more than 70 per cent of our vineyards planted to the Champagne trio of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier, top dog bubbly is what England does best. Our green and pleasant land effortlessly produces the lean, acidic base wines that are essential for great champagne-method fizz such as [this] from Ridgeview in East Sussex. With extra time spent on its yeasty lees, it’s a savoury, floral, lemony success

Read more

Jane MacQuitty

Saturday 4th Jun 2022

Belfast News Letter

Wine of the Week: .. ferociously crisp, unctuously heady and superbly rounded ... A glorious riot of fresh green apple and mineral flavours is neatly undercut by a sharp swathe of citrus in its refreshing ...

Wine of the Week: .. ferociously crisp, unctuously heady and superbly rounded ... A glorious riot of fresh green apple and mineral flavours is neatly undercut by a sharp swathe of citrus in its refreshing finish. A perfect aperitif for all your canapes and party treats.

Read more

Raymond Gleug

Saturday 4th Jun 2022

House and Garden

The Wine Society is one of our favourite destinations for… just about any kind of wine, and their own-label bottlings are reliably high quality. This is one of the more affordable English sparkling wines...

The Wine Society is one of our favourite destinations for… just about any kind of wine, and their own-label bottlings are reliably high quality. This is one of the more affordable English sparkling wines out there at £24 a bottle and is made by the Sussex winery Ridgeview. Fresh and zesty with apple and citrus notes, it's a perfect wine for spring celebrations.

Read more

Charlotte McCaughan- Hawes

Wednesday 1st Jun 2022

Times of Tunbridge Wells

Patriots will want to crack open a fine traditional method English sparkler this special Platinum Jubilee bank holiday weekend. [This] has to be a vinous frontrunner for the celebrations, particularly...

Patriots will want to crack open a fine traditional method English sparkler this special Platinum Jubilee bank holiday weekend. [This] has to be a vinous frontrunner for the celebrations, particularly because its creators delivered the sparkling wine for Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2021. For a splash-out treat, pop this zesty bottle of incredible Sussex finesse. Produced solely for The Society by Ridgeview Wine Estate on the South Downs, just seven miles from the sea, [this] is derived from pinot noir, pinot meunier and chardonnay and has melon, orchard fruit and citrus flavours.

Read more

James Viner

Wednesday 1st Jun 2022

Lynn News

One of the best sparkling wines in the world ... Produced in the South Downs National Park, this national treasure uses a Champagne-style mix of grapes grown on Champagne-like soils to create a wine equal ...

One of the best sparkling wines in the world ... Produced in the South Downs National Park, this national treasure uses a Champagne-style mix of grapes grown on Champagne-like soils to create a wine equal to almost any non-vintage Champagne. This is a beautiful example of what we can produce, from its bright apple blossom nose to its grape, apple, melon palate, and creamy finish.

Read more

Giles Luckett

Tuesday 31st May 2022

Rotherham & South Yorkshire Advertiser

Made from classic Champagne varieties, this is crisp with hints of apple and lemon.

David Clay

Thursday 2nd Jun 2022

Liverpool Echo

… the ever-reliable Wine Society … crisp, zesty, moreish …

Jane Clare

Saturday 4th Jun 2022

The Herald

Perhaps the perfect fizz for a party, even if it is English! Hints of pear and apple peel on the nose with a lovely crisp palate and refreshing finish.

Gerard Richardson

Thursday 26th May 2022

Daily Express

Produced by Ridgeview in East Sussex, this is a delicious, muscular blend of classic Champagne grapes, pinots noir and meunier, and chardonnay.

Matt Nixson

Saturday 28th May 2022

Portsmouth News

… made for The Wine Society by one of the UK's most respected producers, Ridgeview in Sussex. This is made in the classic method and uses all three Champagne grapes, pinot noir, pinot meunier and...

… made for The Wine Society by one of the UK's most respected producers, Ridgeview in Sussex. This is made in the classic method and uses all three Champagne grapes, pinot noir, pinot meunier and chardonnay. It's very pretty in the glass with a constant stream of small bubbles, the nose offers orchard fruits and some citrus, the palate is nicely textured with green apple, some savoury notes and a little minerality before a crisp finish. It may not ne the most complex English fizz, but it is great value and certainly waves the flag.

Read more

Alistair Gibson

Saturday 28th May 2022

Manchester Evening News

I've long been a member of The Wine Society and in these straitened times it be relied upon to offer quality at very competitive prices. This fizz, just one wine from several cases handpicked for Jubilee...

I've long been a member of The Wine Society and in these straitened times it be relied upon to offer quality at very competitive prices. This fizz, just one wine from several cases handpicked for Jubilee celebrations, proves the point. It's produced exclusively for The Society by Ridgeview in Sussex, and is made from pinot meunier, pinot noir and chardonnay, so it's very much in the same vein as Champagne. An extended time on the lees gives it some complexity, texture and depth, but overall it's fairly lean and refreshing with great minerality.

Read more

Andy Cronshaw

Friday 20th May 2022

The Herald

Perhaps the perfect fizz for a party, even if it is English! Hints of pear and apple peel on the nose with a lovely crisp palate and refreshing finish.

Gerard Richardson

Saturday 21st May 2022