A refreshed, sparkling new Wine List for 2024
When Simon Leigh-Jones began managing the restaurant in the 1980s, a mere 20 or so wines graced the wine list. Now there are more than 100 options on the list from all over the world, which reflects not only Simon’s passion for wine, but also the increasing interest in wine from both our customers and the wider industry.
Having been placed second in the recent Bravo awards for Best Wine List we’re delighted to present our new and refreshed wine list for 2024. With a total of over 115 wines, this is one of the biggest wine list changes to date, featuring 50 new wines ranging from Champagne to dessert.
We conduct several in house wine tastings for training every year and one of our summer tastings was recently held upstairs at English’s, led by the wonderfully knowledgeable and personable, Shana, from Thorman Hunt Wine Shippers. Below are the wines featured, their descriptions and, most importantly, which dishes they pair with:
Pinyeres Blanc (Grenache), Celler Masroig, DOP Monstant 2022
100% Grenache blanc. Stainless steel fermentation on lees for 6 months. Monstant is found to the Southwest of Barcelona, at the southern edge of ‘green’ Spain. This is a dry, but not overly dry wine with soft aromas of green melon and floral flavours. Easily enjoyed with a variety of dishes including salad and seafood.
Graves Blanc, Chateau Graville Lacoste Bordeaux 2022
60% Sémillon / 30% Sauvignon Blanc / 10% Muscadelle – stainless steel fermentation and ageing. A much overlooked dry, clean wine with flavours of tart fruit, grapefruit, and a mix of fragrant herbs. A great accompaniment to prawns, salads, and a fresh and clean companion for soup.
Petit Chablis, Nathalie & Gilles Fevre, Burgundy 2022
100% Chardonnay from a small estate of 1.5 ha of vines grown in Jurassic limestone soils with stainless steel fermentation and aging. This is a dry wine, golden in colour, with lemon and green apple acidity with a light, crisp finish. It pairs particularly well with white flaky fish, fish and chips (and minty peas!), and chicken.
Gewurztraminer, Domaine Bruno Sorg, Alsace 2022
100% Gewurztraminer, from a family-owned estate in a small village in Alsace. Stainless steel fermentation and ageing. This is a slightly sweet wine, off-dry in style, with aromas of rose petal, lychee, and spice. Thick and weighty, but finishes lightly in the palette. This wine pairs well with ham or pink shellfish such as prawn and lobster. Fantastic with oysters and bacon.
Pinot Noir, Bruno Sorg, Alsace 2022
100% Pinot Noir, aged in fermentation tanks, no oak ageing. A structured aroma of red summer berry fruit with a hint of pepper/ spice. If you want to enjoy red wine with fish, this is the wine for you. Particularly delicious with salmon and tuna.
Crémant de Bourgogne, Jean Collet
100% Chardonnay, sparkling wine aged 9 months plus an additional 24 months before disgorgement. Crisp and clean with delicate almond and fruit aromas with lemony citrus, noticeably creamy on the palette with a fine mousse. Pairs beautifully with delicate dishes such as cold prawns or raw oysters.
Champagne Gallimard Brut Reserve
100% Pinot Noir, traditional Champagne method – 18 months on the lees before disgorgement. Dry and delicate on the palette with soft bubbles, fresh strawberry aromas and a hint of pink in the colour. The perfect accompaniment to pink fish – like salmon or Trout – or seafood.
We really enjoy our wine tastings at English’s and think they are very important training so all our staff can pass on knowledge about the grower, the taste and the perfect pairings to our customers
We look forward to sharing our favourites next time you dine with us – and, if you’re not sure what to go for, ask your waiter for their recommendations.
You can find our newly updated wine list here.
