Had a 2013 & 2014 last year - both were in excellent condition. They have been kept in the dark and no temperature extremes. Just that I had so many - I take time drinking them.
Do have some older ones somewhere too … I’ll try one of those and report back.
Forget the French - go for English sparkling wine made by the same method:
Scraped from Google:
The Chapel Down “French Man” advert features French TV presenter and wine expert Fred Sirieix challenging American perceptions of English wine by conducting blind taste tests in New York, pitting Chapel Down English sparkling wine against French Champagne, with surprising results favoring the English fizz. The campaign, launched around World Champagne Day in October 2025, highlights Sirieix’s genuine love for Chapel Down despite his French roots, aiming to prove English sparkling wine’s quality.
Nyetimber: Nyetimber has been awarded two of the most prestigious trophies at the International Wine Challenge (IWC): Champion Sparkling Wine and Sparkling Winemaker of the Year.
IMO these are the best current producers of Quality English Sparkling Wine:
Just my tuppence worth
I rarely drink any alcoholic drinks these days but if I still did then the ideal whisky for Christmas is Johnny Walker Blue label. It is a dark old fashioned blended whisky that tastes like Christmas Cake, very fruity, chocolate, honey and other flavours. Expensive but worth it.
Cannot disagree - although te order may need tweaking.
The key point is that English sparkling is up there with the best chanpagnes be it standard NV or Vintage. I have a 2016 ready for Christmas Day.
Did you ever try the old King’s Ginger? I never did and got a bottle of the new formulation a while back but really didn’t enjoy it. Seems to be a bit marmite now.
My experience of British Champagne-style sparling wine was at a vineyard in Kent (I don’t know the name) : OK but expensive and therefore disappointing. I buy Champagne direct from small vineyards, after tasting, and find much to my taste, better than most big label stuff I’ve tried -though of course unlike them every year will be different (however that adds to the interest). From 2022 I still have some from P Lassalle-Hanin and Gaudriller, and from last year Maurice Cugnet, Guy Charraut and William Saintot. Not names others are likely to have heard of, though at least some are likely to be in names you have as most if not all sell part of their yield that way, where they end up being blended with a multitude of others.
I guess I may get through the odd bottle or three over Christmas/New Year, if the mood takes me…!
I really like it, but I only came across it in the new formulation. I’d like to try the old given some comments I’ve read.
What’s everyone else drinking? 
Oh, I will definitely have to share 
Chateau Southern Water 2025…………
………on draught! 
I’m still on the old variant - I had a large amount…. almost all gone now
Bought some sherry and mulled wine earlier.
This is great:
@Rod_Smith - is the Lustau Almacenista range fair for the price? Some online reviews suggest this is quite thin but I’m certainly enjoying a sip or two this evening.
This will follow a glass of cider (or perry ) on Christmas Day . To go with the Christmas Pudding and the cheese (A visit from Secret Santa ) .
To accompany the King’s Speech and the final of Countdown . A very quiet day , with perhaps some Diana Krall on vinyl
Knew I could rely on you, what Vodka are you going to use? Oh, and what’s the recipe for these Cherry Bakewell Martinis?
All great choices! I don’t know if you’ve visited any of them but Chapel Down and, particularly, Rathfinney are well worth a visit for lunch if you’re in the area (both are 1/2 an hour from me)
Many years ago when Chapel Down were crowdfunding, I bought some shares and I’m entitled to a 1/3 off their prices for life - I’ve definitely recouped my investment!! I also get a 2 tickets for a wine tour every year so we often visit and have lunch. I’ve not been to Rathfinney but a good friend has and really rates it. I love their Blanc de Noir and particularly their Blanc de Blancs
Fantastic!! If I’d only known about this at the time…
Rathfinny is a fabulous venue and a beautiful location; their 2019 Rosé is great, too.
Yes - please share!
