BRAMBLE HILL SPARKLING WINE REVIEW: MARKS AND SPENCER ENGLISH SPARKLING WINE.
I recently came across the Marks and Spencer own brand English sparkling wine in my local marks store. This inexpensive supermarket brand English sparkling wine is normally £15, but with a £2 off promotion, I had to grab a bottle to bring home.
As the popularity of English sparkling wine continues to soar, M&S has created it’s very own version – Bramble Hill sparkling wine. Made in a Kent Vineyard, specifically the Silverhand Estate. Bramble Hill promises an exquisite tasting English sparkling wine, but at an affordable price.
In this review, I’ll let you know what I thought about the Bramble Hill sparkling wine. Is it worth the hype? Have M&S nailed the much anticipated “affordable English sparkling wine?”
About Bramble Hill English Sparkling Wine
Bramble Hill English sparkling wine, is M&S’s affordable English wine offering. The fizz was first launched onto shelves in 2022 when M&S joined the likes of Aldi and Tesco with an own brand sparkling wine.
The wine is made in Kent, like many of the most famous English sparkling wines, such as Chapel Down. Kent has over 50 vineyards, so it would make sense for M&S to pair up with one.
Silverhand Estate which produces Bramble Hill sparkling wine is in Luddesdown, near to Gravesend, is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The vineyard has a history of organic farming and brings sustainable practices into the wine production process on the vineyard.
The winery doesn’t just produce Bramble Hill, they grown Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier grapes to produce a range of premium sparkling and still wine. This includes the Silverhand Classic Brut (£29) and the very special Chardonnay based Blanc de Blancs (£49).
Bramble Hill sparkling wine is made from a blend of Bacchus, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir.
Unlike the more premium sparkling wines produced by Silverhand Estate, Bramble Hill is made with the Charmat method. This is similar to how Prosecco is made in Italy, but different to the traditional Champagne methodology. Specifically, the wine undergoes a second fermentation in a stainless steel tank, rather than in the bottle. This methodology allows wine makers to produce more wine in a less expensive way. It also means that the wine is super fizzy!
Bramble Hill English Sparkling Wine: The Low Down
Here’s the key information you need to know about Bramble Hill English sparkling wine.
🗺️Made in Kent, at Silverhand Estate
🍾Produced using the Charmat method
🍇Bacchus, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier & Pinot Noir
💷£15
Tasting Notes for Marks and Spencer English Sparkling Wine
So to the taste test – here’s my review of Bramble Hill, M&S’s English Sparkling wine.
Appearance: Bramble Hill sparkling wine has a yellow, sunshine colour. Almost straw like in it’s hue. The bubbles are vibrant and visible.
Aroma: The wine does not have a strong aroma, a touch of zest and a hint of apple. Above all else, it smells fresh and light.
Taste: Bramble Hill sparkling wine has a light taste that does not overwhelm the palate. A dry wine, with subtle flavours of fruit.
Mouthfeel: My favourite quality of the Bramble Hill sparkling wine is the texture – it is an effervescent and lively wine. It bounces around your mouth delightfully, making you feel giddy after just a few sips.
Pairing Suggestions for Bramble Hill Sparkling Wine
M&S suggest that Bramble Hill sparkling wine would pair well with chicken dishes or salads. It is also possible that it would drink well with seafood.
Personally, I would recommend drinking Bramble Hill sparkling wine as an aperitif. The taste is not very strong and I think it could get lost a little, if paired with a main course. Instead, serve as an aperitif on a summers day, alongside some English cheese or canapes.
This recipe from Daylesford Cookery School below would be ideal.
Occasions and Serving Tips for Marks and Spencer English Sparkling Wine
When it comes to serving Bramble Hill sparkling wine, it’s best to ensure that it is properly chilled. I opted to serve the wine in a flute glass. Next time, I’d opt for a tulip style glass, to let the bubbles move around a bit more freely. Bramble Hill is quite fizzy and I felt that it was a bit constrained in the flute.
As for an occasion to serve the Bramble Hill wine? I personally chose a random Thursday with no real occasion other than the sun was out in England! I love how affordable this wine is, meaning you don’t have to save it for a very special event. That said, it is special enough to roll out for a celebration.
I’m going to buy a few bottles to store for when I need impromptu sparkles, or to take as a gift when I next go to a dinner party.
My review of Bramble Hill Sparkling Wine
Bramble Hill sparkling wine is an absolute treat for the price point. Texturally, it is similar to Prosecco – lively and wild. But, with a more subtle and light taste.
TASTE: 7/10
QUAFFABILITY: 9/10
VALUE FOR MONEY: 9/10
BUY AGAIN: Yes
I’d buy Bramble Hill sparkling wine again in a heart beat, the perfect bottle to bring to a party or pop open on a Saturday evening in the sun. It may not quite have some of the qualities of a premium English sparkling wine, but with such a reasonable price tag, I wouldn’t expect this. Rather, it is more comparable to a high end Proescco, but with the bonus of flying the flag for English wine.
Where can you buy Bramble Hill Sparkling Wine?
Bramble Hill English Sparkling Wine is sold at Marks and Spencer food stores or online. You can also buy it online, in a case of six for £90.
Where to next?
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