Discover Waitrose Own Label Sparkling Wines

Waitrose has become the largest retailer of English sparkling wine in the country, claiming a 65% market share.

The Leckford Estate was bought by John Spedan Lewis in 1929, founder of the John Lewis Partnership. It covers 4,000 acres in Hampshire and includes a farm, plant nursery and water garden. In 2001 The Leckford Estate became part of Waitrose and in May 2009 Waitrose became the first retailer to plant its own vineyard.

The chalky south-facing slopes of Hampshire’s picturesque Test Valley are home to five hectares of meticulously tended vines,  dedicated to the three classic Champagne grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.

By mid to late October when the grapes are ripe yet still high in acidity, they’re hand-picked and taken to be pressed within 24 hours by the award-winning winemaking team at Ridgeview Wine Estate. Once pressed, the wine is bottle-aged for two years in Ridgeview’s cool, dark cellars, resting on the yeast lees to allow the complex, biscuity aromas and flavours to evolve. The sparkling wine was first on the shelves at Waitrose in 2014.

Leckford Estate English Sparkling Wine Extra Dry £29.99

This sparkling wine comes with a touch more sweetness for a creamier mouthfeel. It has aromas of candied fruit and honeysuckle. The creamy palate has apricots and almond flavours with a citrus twist on the delicate yet complex finish.

Leckford Estate Brut £32.99

Once opened, aromas of toasted brioche and hazelnuts give way to a creamy palate with apple and peach flavours. Perfect as an apéritif, Leckford Estate is also very food-friendly and sublime with smoked salmon and cream cheese blinis.

Leckford Estate Blanc de Blancs £34.99

Wonderful notes of baked apples and freshly cut grass. Try it with pork medallions, grilled fish and crisp green salads.

Other Own Label Sparkling Wines

Waitrose also has several own-label ranges. Waitrose & Partners Blueprint wines are instantly recognisable with their intricately designed labels symbolic of the maker’s region. Each bottle has been chosen as being an outstanding, great-value example of a classic wine, including the Blueprint Cava.

Waitrose Blueprint Cava Brut NV £7.99

Soft, fresh and easy to drink, with a smooth, rounded flavour and a hint of citrus. Made from a blend of the classic Cava grape varieties, Xarel-lo, Macabeo and Parellada. This is a great Sparkling wine to use in cocktails.

Of course, no own-label range would be complete without Champagne. The Waitrose Brut is produced by Maison Alexandre Bonnet, a small house that grows its own grapes near Les Riceys in the Aube, the most southerly part of Champagne.

Waitrose Champagne Brut NV £24.99

Produced from the prestigious house Maison Bonnet, this Champagne uses only the top cuvée made from the first pressing of grapes. An elegant style of Champagne made from all three traditional grape varieties with the Pinot giving depth and the dash of Chardonnay adding some zing to this smooth, medium-bodied and fruity Champagne with a lovely toastiness. Perfect as an apéritif or with light dishes.

“Decent standard. Ticks all the Champagne expectation boxes! Citrus, golden fruits, white floral, red berry, lemon pastry nose. A warmer golden colouring. Crisp. Dry initially though opens up to a silky texture displaying golden fruits, cream pastry, floral, citrus, minerals and much more.” Christopher Walkey

 

Starting today, Wednesday 22nd May until Tuesday 4th June, Waitrose is offering 25% off wine and Champagne priced between £6 and £100 when purchasing any six or more bottles. Making this the perfect time to try these own label sparkling wines and Champagne.