The ERW team shares a selection of their favourite wines for June. From new releases to Summer must-haves, June’s English Wine List offers all the inspiration you need.
THE TIMELESS RED
Giffords Hall LVII-XIX
Now with four years of ageing, Suffolk’s number one English vineyard’s 2018 LVII-XIX Pinot Noir is drinking so beautifully. The last wine made by the late, great Guy Howard, this wine is a stunning masterclass in English Pinot Noir. Inspired by richer, deeper styles of Pinot Noir – with oak ageing playing a key part in the wine’s production – this wine is the perfect addition to your wine rack.
THE FRUITY ROSÉ
Bluebell Vineyard Ashdown Rosé
This is the 2019 vintage from Sussex vineyard Bluebell. A blend of Pinot Noir and Merlot, which is unique to England – and tastes delicious. Aromas of white peach, apricot and ripe strawberry; leading to flavours of cherry, nectarine and blackcurrant. You’ll be entranced by this well-balanced, aromatic pink – it’s our go-to for sipping in the sunshine.
THE RIOJA-INSPIRED RED
Winbirri Reserve
From family-run vineyard Winbirri comes the Reserve. Produced with incredible care and attention to detail by head winemaker Lee Dyer, this wine explores the potential of English red grape varieties with the right amount of oak ageing. The wine has a pronounced nose of rich spices and vanilla, bursting with autumn fruits on the palate.
THE AROMATIC WHITE
Stopham Pinot Blanc
Aromatic winemaking expert Simon Woodhead – a Formula One engineer in a previous life – has nailed it when it comes to Pinot Blanc. With faint but classic Pinot Blanc nuttiness, this wine has aromas of ripe pears, and a honeydew-melon roundness to it with piercing lime-streaked acidity. We especially love the delicious green cardamom and fennel-seed spiciness, which show on the finish.
THE SOPHISTICATED WHITE
Simpsons Gravel Castle Chardonnay
Luxury Kent-based vineyard Simpsons range is already iconic in England. Much like a top-of-the-range Chablis, the Gravel Castle Chardonnay is delightfully aromatic with notes of citrus, ripe apple and nashi pear. The palate has tropical fruit notes, balanced by a complementary crisp minerality. The ultimate accessory to your summertime dinner party.
THE BETTER-THAN-PROVENCE ROSÉ
Folc English Rosé
Cult wine brand Folc have just launched their 2021 vintage. From their signature English Country Garden base, this latest vintage is a new blend bringing round peach and cranberry notes to Folc’s fresh palate. Singing with English strawberries and raspberries with good acidity and bright grapefruit. With a lot to live up to after the last vintage, we think Folc has once again knocked it out of the park with this Provence-challenging, unique English Rosé blend.
THE LUXURY ENGLISH ROSÉ
Elizabeth Rosé
The rosé to be seen with this summer, Elizabeth Rosé is a limited-edition rosé produced in Devon. The wine has a beautiful salmon pink colour, and is bursting with strawberries, cream and delicate hints of peach. We are down to our last few bottles now, and these are slightly cheaper than the original release due to imperfections on the labels. We promise the wine is nothing less than perfect!
THE CLASSIC RED
Giffords Hall St Edmundsbury Pinot Noir
Inspired by rich and fruity examples of Pinot Noir, Giffords Hall’s St Edmundsbury red is a beautiful wine that has a generous nose, and is packed with fruit flavours such as plum, rhubarb and cranberry. Gorgeously rich in both colour and flavour, we find this red is fantastic when paired with pasta dishes. Serve this at your next dinner party and your guests won’t believe it was grown and produced in Suffolk.
THE PREMIUM WHITE
Woodchurch Chardonnay
Woodchurch wines have always been a favourite of ours here at Elizabeth Rose Wines. Adorned with a golden pheasant and sealed with wax, the brand is strikingly beautiful. One to snap up as it is already selling out, this Chardonnay is best served with smoked fish dishes.
