In 2010, Ridgeview caught global attention when they received the trophy for “Worldwide Best Sparkling Wine” at the Decanter World Wine Awards, the first and only time this has been awarded to a producer outside Champagne. It was the official wine served for Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012. Since then, Ridgeview’s sparkling wines have been the “go-to” sparkling wines served for heads of state visiting Great Britain. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, prime minister David Cameron, Sir Richard Branson, Sir John Major, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, Hillary Clinton, London Mayor Boris Johnson, Tom Hanks, and Kevin Spacey enjoyed Ridgeview wines paired with sole in coldwater crawfish sauce and Windsor palace-raised lamb with parsley, but don’t wait for a dinner party like this to come around: try the Bloomsbury Brut for life’s smaller celebrations, too.

The Bloomsbury is Chardonnay-dominant, supported by the fullness of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Hand-harvested fruit is gently pressed, then fermented by the yeast used developed at the Institute Oenologique de Champagne. The resulting wine comfortably stands beside those from the other side of the English Channel. It shows a light golden colour with a fine, persistent mousse. Chardonnay dominance brings finesse, along with crisp freshness. The Pinots add depth and character. This will age gracefully for three to four years as the Chardonnay matures.

“60% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, 10% Pinot Meunier. Lovely saline nose, with subtle florality. Nectarine, green apple and marzipan complexity, with well defined flavours and clarity.” 91 points, Decanter World Wine Awards 2019

“This is the signature cuvée from Ridgeview, and it was served to the Queen at her official Diamond Jubilee celebration. It is always a reliable performer, bursting with citrus lemon, lime, freshly sliced melon and honeysuckle. The energetic palate revives the senses, thanks to a vibrant line of acidity that imparts almost a steeliness toward the finish (not unlike a Blanc de Blancs.) This is great introduction to the delights of Ridgeview and indeed to English sparkling wine.”
91 points, Neal Martin, Vinous Media, July 2020

“A lifted sense of lactic freshness hits the nose first. The flavours then broaden out into ripe lemon and subtle shortcrust notes. The slender palate foams with liveliness, underlining the light body, the brisk freshness and the lemony shortbread notes. The finish is dry, vivid and appetizing. A wonderful aperitif.” 90 points, Anne Krebiehl MW, Wine Enthusiast, November 2020