Harrow & Hope Blanc de Blancs 2018

Decanter said that “English sparkling wine is a world class product”. And Henry and Kaye Laithwaite’s Harrow & Hope is one of the best - 2019 UK Winery of the Year, plus two more Trophies in 2022. Until 2010 Henry had been more used to making reds in Oz and Bordeaux, but he and his wife Kaye returned to England and planted a 10-hectare vineyard in Marlow with Chardonnay and both Pinots. In 2013, they completed a new winery. Henry’s had top names advising him – the late Tony Jordan of Australia’s Moët et Chandon and the UK’s late King of Fizz, Mike Roberts. Their superb Blancs de Blanc is pure Chardonnay from a small, very fine vintage. Half fermented in barrel and aged on its lees for four years, it has ripe fruit, with excellent structure.