Most exciting sparkling wines of 2017
See top sparkling wines from Decanter's 'most exciting wines of 2017' panel tasting. Find a new wine to try in 2018 or celebrate New Year's Eve in style...
Decanter experts chose wines that have impressed them in the past year – under £55 per bottle – and 173 were tasted by a three-person panel to create an ultimate list of wines to try.
Below, we’ve unlocked the top sparkling wines from the tasting so that notes and scores are freely available. Look out for more articles from this tasting this in the next fortnight.
Why not make your New Year’s resolution to try more new wines?
Most exciting sparkling wines of 2017
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French Crémant – Beyond Champagne
Corte Aura, Millesimato, Franciacorta, Satèn, Lombardy, Italy, 2010
95
Elegant, creamy, come-hither aromas of fresh yeast and ripe apple lead onto a stylish palate full of bright citrus fruit, honey and heather. There is a fine, persistent mousse and a drying, mineral edge on the finish.
2010
Corte AuraFranciacorta
Freixenet, Casa Sala Gran Reserva, Cava de Paraje Calificado, Penedès, Spain, 2007
91
Nutty, savoury, rich and powerful with almond and Christmas cake-like flavours – almost like it has a touch of amontillado. Powerful, full-bodied, soft and fully mature with lovely lime freshness on the finish and a medium-long length.
2007
FreixenetCava de Paraje Calificado
Edoardo Miroglio, EM Brut Rosé, Nova Zagora, Thracian Valley, Southern Region - Thracian Lowland, Bulgaria, 2011
94
A pretty partridge-eye colour in the glass, this is delicate and expressive with a soft mousse, summer berry fruit characters and great freshness. The ripe style is well married with apple acidity and balanced, creamy richness.
2011
Edoardo MiroglioNova Zagora
Taittinger, Brut, Champagne, France, 2006
94
Lovely aromas of struck match on the nose with a hint of pineapple and crème brulée. It is elegant and gentle with pristine acidity and a creamy, soft mousse. A fleeting white floral scent lifts the finish.
2006
Taittinger
Wiston Estate, Cuvée Brut, South Downs, England, United Kingdom, 2013
94
Ripe red apples and warm brioche showing on the nose, with stone fruit richness to the palate that is balanced by energy and acidity. There is a tremendous umami savouriness and an almost chocolatey yeast character; this needs time and will be very good.
2013
Wiston EstateSouth Downs
Reichsrat von Buhl, Von Buhl Reserve Sekt, Pfalz, Germany
93
Bone dry and youthful, this has focus, grip and pristine acidity underlying herbaceous notes and white fruit. Light in body with a fine mousse and a citrus edge.
Reichsrat von Buhl
Pirie, Brut, Tamar Valley, Tasmania, Australia
This is a superlative creation with more gravitas and structure in the glass than you might expect. I happen to prefer this wine to the...
PirieTamar Valley
Marguet Père & Fils, Shaman 13 Grand Cru Brut, Champagne, France
91
A little restrained but delightful style exhibiting delicious briochy softness and enchanting oxidative nutty notes layered on top of bruised apples and acid pep.
Marguet Père & Fils
Ruggeri, Vecchie Viti Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Superiore, Prosecco, Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Superiore, Veneto, Italy, 2016
91
Lively, generous bubbles give way to bright pears and delightful whiffs of blood orange. The palate continues this theme with a twist of citrus oil, grapey floral notes and zingy acidity.
2016
RuggeriProsecco
Aphros, Phaunus Pet Nat, Portugal, 2016
90
Lively and youthful! Summer fruits, orange zest and apple blossom with a dash of crème brulée and a soft, charitable mousse.
2016
Aphros
