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**MikeH** · June 23, 2011, 05:39

There's hardly any English wine produced... a few of the major supermarkets sell it, but not in every store.

If you can find a Waitrose they have some good English wines.

**Zoetstofzoetje** · June 23, 2011, 05:44

thanks, no Waitrose here though, will try Sainsbury's and Booths

**MikeH** · June 23, 2011, 05:48

If you can find a Waitrose get a Chapel Down Bacchus, I would taste it alongside a decent NZ Sauvignon Blanc and a Sancerre/Pouilly Fumé.

Waitrose & Partners

http://www.waitrose.com/shop/ProductView-10317-10001-34949-Chapel+Down+Bacchus

Buy quality groceries and wine from Waitrose & Partners

Most towns have an Marks and Spencers too... they have a couple of English Sparkling's which are worth a try.

Smaller independent off-licences are more hit and miss... but should have something English. Most vineyards are tiny and sell direct from their vineyard, and with those you'll find most are bad so it's risky.

Oh and the classifications are very loose but English Quality Wine > English Regional Wine > English Table Wine... I wouldn't bother with anything that isn't at least labeled English Regional Wine.

Specifications for the levels here:

http://www.englishwineproducers.com/qwrws.htm

**MikeH** · June 23, 2011, 05:52

I think Sainsbury's have an English Sparkling rosé in their excellent Taste the Difference range...

**MikeH** · June 23, 2011, 05:53

Oooh, never heard of Booths, a northern chain, but they have that Chapel Down Bacchus.

Wines & Spirits | Booths Supermarket

http://www.booths.co.uk/Wine-Cellar

Here at Booths, we really know our wines. From our own Booths range of wines, to the brands you’ve come to know and love, we’ve got a selection of around

**MikeH** · June 23, 2011, 05:55

Sparkling is really what we're becoming famous for, but I think the best Bacchus are really the wines that have the most expression of Englishness, they should taste of nettles, gooseberry, and all things English hedgerow.

**Zoetstofzoetje** · June 23, 2011, 06:18

good, i'll walk to a Booths then and ship myself a few of these!

**Zoetstofzoetje** · June 23, 2011, 06:19

i'll compare these with my Legaris and Protos, see what happens

**MikeH** · June 23, 2011, 06:27

What is it there? Mostly Verdejo and with some Sauvignon Blanc in Rueda?

It will be very different... much closer to a cool climate Sauvignon.

**Zoetstofzoetje** · June 23, 2011, 07:12

Yes, verdejo... wonderful stuff! It's like Californian Valley Rose in that you don't 'sense' it until you stand up.

**Zoetstofzoetje** · June 23, 2011, 07:13

My my, these Bacchus were over 9 quid a pop, should be good!

**MikeH** · June 23, 2011, 07:17

Well... English wine is expensive, cost of production is high for all quality levels, and we have high taxes.

But I guess it will be something no-one in Spain has tried.

**Zoetstofzoetje** · June 23, 2011, 07:19

Most people in Spain never left the country (well, as the English, actually), let alone try wine further than from Italy.

Of course, I'm not proper Spanish

**MikeH** · June 23, 2011, 07:39

Most English people have been abroad! Even if just to France or Spain.

**Zoetstofzoetje** · June 23, 2011, 07:49

I always thought that 'you southerners' consider anything outside the M25 'abroad'

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