Gusbourne Estate Sparkling Rose, Kent, England, 2009

English sparkling wine is clearly going from strength to strength and although the prices are rising a little from what they were a few years ago, the increase in quality is far higher. The estate in Kent enjoys south-facing slopes for the vines, very little wind and crisp, cold winters - perfect for wines made in the traditional methode champenoise.

Appearance: Pure, fine bubbles rise invitingly, with a medium salmon pink tint to the wine. 

Nose: There is plenty of acidity, as well as a delicate array of fine brown sugar, ripe strawberries and bramble leaf.

Palate: The acidity certainly carries through to the palate, yet is balanced by a stout body and rich, structured blend of raspberry and fresh cherry. A crisp, dry finish leaves an elegant taste in the mouth, with hints of currants and rhubarb.

Rating: I first tried Gusbourne's Brut two years ago when they were on the 2006 and loved it immediately. The Rose is a joy: high quality winemaking and clearly excellent grapes make for a delicious drop. Being a minimum of around £10 less than any of the big name Rose Champagnes only adds to its appeal. 9/10

Both were tasted at the Cherwell Boathouse in Oxford - anyone nearby should definitely make the trip for a bottle. It has also now been picked up as a house wine at Selfridges.

Bollinger La Grand Année 2004

La Grand Année is Bollinger's vintage release and going in I was expecting a lot of power and depth. It is Pinot Noir dominant, aged for 5 years in bottle on the lees, after first fermentation in oak barrels.

Appearance: Light and fresh, yet with a gold tint. Concise and intense bubbles

Nose: It is a rather punchy nose, with toasty overtones, yeast, orange peel and hints of vanilla and clove.

Palate: Following the impressive nose, the palate shows an array of ripe fruits: pear, fig and blackcurrant.  A burst of citrus acidity on the finish is accompanied by a lingering minerality, while there are secondary notes of honey and soft, faint spices.

Rating: A lovely wine, although perhaps a little young (drunk April 2013). Following 2002 was always going to be tough, yet the wine is fresh, complex and exciting - it holds its own. Pricey, but worth the treat for a special occasion, boasting the craftsmanship and time that has gone into producing it. 8.2/10

Domaine Carneros Brut, Napa, USA, 2006

Welcome to a new type of post on my blog. From now on I shall have more regular, shorter posts detailing just tasting notes and a rating of particular wines. At longer intervals I will put up longer articles and reviews still, so keep an eye out for those! In keeping with a blind tasting technique I shall write these shorter posts conforming to a layout that details the wine's appearance, nose and palate, followed by a rating - hopefully this will give easy and fast recommendations...

The first wine I shall review in this way is Domaine Carneros' 2006 Brut, a sparkling wine made up of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, from Napa and Sonoma in California. Interestingly, the label is owned by Taittinger and all the sparkling wines are made in the traditional French style - that is to say that the wine is fermented a second time (after blending) in the bottle - and is aged there for 3 years before release.

Appearance: Light and straw-coloured with a hint of gold.

Nose: Complex, with toasty notes and hints of mango and apricot.

Palate: Zingy orange, dried mango and raspberry leaves present, with a lengthy finish and a well-rounded acidity that is anything but sharp.

Rating: Impressive, and clearly influenced by its French owners. 8.5/10