Pick of the Best – Oliver vs Christopher – Rosé Edition

This is the third article in the Pick of the Best series, we’ve both picked one bottle of award winning Sparkling Wine that we’ve very much enjoyed and we’ll showcase it to each other, this time we’ve both chosen a Rosé Sparkling Wine and we’ll see if we can be persuaded the other to switch sides.

The Sparkling Wines which we’ve chosen are for our own reasons, whether it be because of the aromas and flavours inside the bottle, the way they make their wines or the label that entices you into buying them.

Watch the showdown in this video here or read on to find out the conclusion.

We’re going to do this on an honest points system, so each wine will be judged on the following:

• The Label
• The Capsules
• The Colour
• The Bubbles
• The Aroma
• The Flavour
• Experience at the Winery

Oliver’s Pick of the Best

Meopham Valley Vineyard is family run vineyard, it was established in 1991, by David and Pauline Grey, they are located in the lovely village of Meopham in the North Downs of Kent, so if you’re close by, they are more than happy for you to plan a visit to their vineyard, there are a great variety of restaurants, pubs and B&B’s close by, so you can stay the night and not have to worry about enjoying their English Wines and Sparkling Wines.

Their vineyard is east facing on a slope, approximately 100 metres above sea level with the picturesque happy valley as a backdrop. They have 25 acres, with each acre having a density of 1672 vines. They started out by planting seven grape varieties, and now currently grow nine different grape varieties, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Madeleine Angevine, Leon Millot, Triomphe and Reichensteiner.

Their brand logo is of a windmill, this isn’t just a random windmill, it is the Meopham Windmill, they chose it because they felt it “encapsulated the authenticity and heritage of Meopham.”

Meopham Valley Vineyard – Sparkling Phoenix – England

Aroma 👃 “Tomato leaf, tomato, red berries, red berry leaves, floral, garden herbs, and orange blossom on the aroma.”

Flavour 👅 “Soft and smooth, red berries, pink and red floral and blossom, garden herbs, nettles, tomato, tomato leaf, and more on the palate.”

Gold Medal Spring Fling at the Glass of Bubbly Awards 2021

Christopher’s Pick of the Best

Jožef Frelih is the man who created Frelih, the Slovenian Winery with a label you won’t soon forget, it all began in 1892 when he moved to Šentrupert in Slovenia, they offer award winning Sparkling Wines.

Vinska klet Frelih – Penina od fare 2011 – Slovenia

Aroma 👃 “Wonderful. That’s the only word that’s required, soft and delicate red berry, strawberry and raspberry tart, flaky pastry, floral and blossom on the aroma.”

Flavour 👅 “Soft, smooth, delicate and sweet, naturally sweet, with a layer of strawberry jam, a pastry tart and freshly squeezed red berry juice on the aroma.”

Gold Medal Gastronomic at the Glass of Bubbly Awards 2021

Results

• The Label – Frelih
• The Capsules – N/A
• The Colour – Meopham
• The Bubbles – Both
• The Aroma – Meopham
• The Flavour – Frelih
• Experience at the Winery – Both

Meopham – 3 Points     /     Frelih – 3 Points

After a fair showcasing, for the first time, we hit a draw, both of these Rosé Sparkling Wines delivered perfectly, with the Frelih showcasing a flawless version of what we normally expect from a Rosé and the Meopham going outside the box, delivering an excellent green and red flavour combination.

Despite both deserving to win, only one can take home the trophy, it came down to the smallest of details, with Meopham Rosé winning this episode of the Pick of the Best.