Steven Spurrier. Remember him? 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? We all know how that turned out. Welp, he’s the man who founded Bride Valley… and this is no stunt. Just thoughtful exploration of how best to recreate Champagne… outside of Champagne. Just under 100 miles north of Reims, 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, Vallée de la Marne, 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 habitable for humans.

Steven recognized the potential of these soils, but talked himself out of the project for several years. Yet, after some time and deep consideration, he finally gave in and planted around 44,000 vines on a 25-acre parcel. 2011 marked their first harvest, though the celebration would have to wait. Due to the area’s more fickle weather conditions (grey, grey, and more grey, as many Brits would tell you), it took a few years to really produce a viable crop. Although, the passing years weren’t wasted, as the meager harvests were able to be studied and played with to test out how to best make sparkling wines west of the English Channel.

This 2017 Reserve Brut is a brilliant testament that high-caliber bubbles can indeed be made in Britain. After a low-yielding harvest thanks to high disease pressure in the damp summer season, the grapes that prevailed showed great potential that had yet to be seen in past vintages. The wine’s cepage is 50% chardonnay, 39% pinot noir, and 11% pinot meunier for a classically styled methode champenoise sparkling wine that delivers on all fronts. With a compact and gentle mousse, the initial aromas reveal honeysuckle and salty sea spray notes, with an array of expressions including salted plum, lemongrass, toasted almonds, golden apples, bright lemon, and tangerine oil in the mouth. A long, creamy, and luscious finish commences with a subtly salty and mineral-driven spine that carries you through and leaves you desiring more. This is an all-around cool wine, made even cooler by how rare it is! We’re the only place in the States where you’ll find it, and at less than $50 – this 96 point British beauty is worth having in your collection. One sip, and you’ll be bottle shocked, for certain!