First taste: Ridgeview Oak Reserve NV

It’s a sign that an emerging wine region has become established when its leading players have the confidence to launch an experimental cuvée with a premium price-tag.

To mark its 25th anniversary, English sparkling wine estate Ridgeview has launched its first new wine in a decade, a barrel-fermented, non-vintage sparkling wine. The single-vineyard, one-off bottling of 2,600 bottles was created by director of winemaking Simon Roberts, who was inspired by his love of subtly oaked sparkling wines such as Cloudy Bay’s Pelorus from Marlborough in New Zealand.

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