Ah, Steven Spurrier…the world of wine just hasn’t been the same since he passed in 2021. He helped to orchestrate a little Parisian PR stunt tasting of the best of Napa Valley vs. the top Bordeaux and Burgundies to commemorate America’s bi-centennial back in 1976, and we all know how that turned out. Welp, he was also the man behind Bride Valley… and this is no stunt. Just thoughtful exploration of how best to recreate Champagne… outside of Champagne. Just under 100 kilometers north of Reims (and some 300 west), along England’s famed Jurassic Coast, you’ll find the little hamlet of Dorset. Here, chalky, limestone, fossil-riddled soils reign supreme (like many other spots from the Côte des Blancs, Montagne de Reims, The Marne Valley, and more)! The cool climate of the northerly position is perfectly moderated by the tropical influenced waters of the Gulf Stream – basically Mother Nature’s boon to the British that makes the isles even habitable for humans. 

Steven Spurrier had spent enough time in the wine industry to recognize these soils at his home and to see their innate potential. After years of talking himself out of pursuing such a project, he gave in – planting some 44,000 vines on his 25-acre parcel. In 2011, they celebrated their first harvest. The weather was fickle, as England’s climate is wont to be, and it took a few years to produce a viable crop. The meager harvests were studied and experimented with, taking each challenge as an opportunity to create the best sparkling wines west of the English Channel. 

Vintage 2017 was a low-yielding harvest, due to high disease pressure in the humid summer season, but the grapes nevertheless showcased a potential not seen in prior vintages. 100% chardonnay makes up this Blanc de Blancs – created in a racy, zippy, and mineral style that falls right in line with a top Côte des Blancs Champagne! Normally, I try to avoid comparisons of “other” sparkling wines to Champagne…but this deserves a spot on the comparison chart! It’s a classically styled, traditional method sparkler that delivers! Its compact and zippy mousse initially reveals myriad citrus zest and floral aspects, with a palate that goes big on the mineral accents, with more lemons, and pomelo, and green apple notes that expand beautifully to include the sweet and buttery sensation of toasted brioche and nutty, roasted hazelnuts. With 7.1 grams per liter of dosage and 36 months of aging on the lees, the finish is long, creamy, and exceptionally bright, with that salty, mineral, river rocks-Cliffs of Dover spine carrying the day. Cool stuff, regardless of where it was grown…but we’ve got it at the absolute best price in the USA (seriously, we’re talking $30 less than our closest competitor)! Grab a few for your ever-growing bubbles collection now! You won’t regret having a few of these in your arsenal when you’re jonesing for a delicious sparkler!