Nyetimber, based in West Sussex, is one of the oldest English sparkling wine producers with vines dating back to 1988. Their Classic Cuveé is a blend of the three main Champagne grapes – chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier. The wines are typically aged for three to five years (well beyond the required nine months).  This gives the wine a depth, body and toastiness which can compare favourably, in my view, with those of any of the major French champagne houses. It’s available from many retailers but watch out for the champagne/sparkling wine promotions from Majestic.

Hattingley Valley, established in 2008, is in Hampshire although grapes are also sourced from Essex, Kent and Suffolk. This is mainly a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir  – an elegant, rounded wine, with vibrant green fruit and a soft toastiness from some barrel fermentation and four years’ ageing on the lees. English wine makers have often built up great reserves over many years which means that their blends contain significantly older reserve wines than many French NVs and are all the better for it. Widely available.