South West fizz for Christmas Day

Looking to source quality English sparkling wines for the big day? Fill your flutes with fizz from one of these South West vineyards for sipping par excellence this Christmas Day

Lyme Bay Sparkling Rosé NV, Devon

It’ll be lust at first sight when your guests spy this sparkler from Lyme Bay Winery spilling from the bottle into Champagne glasses, its soft shade of pink and fine stream of bubbles hinting at the fruity deliciousness to be discovered.

Wild strawberries, pepper and redcurrant on the nose, and a bright, fruit-driven palate with honey richness and hints of brioche, have secured this sparkling rosé’s multi-award-winning status (including nine international awards).

Whether enjoyed as a decadent aperitif or an accompaniment to delicate canapés, this refined wine – with its long luxurious finish – is an ideal choice for toasting the festivities.

£31.49

Wraxall Somerset Sparkling

If you want assurance that the bottle of bubbly you buy in for Christmas is of impeccable quality, turn your attention to one of Somerset’s oldest vineyards: Wraxall.

The vineyard has been producing award-winning wines for five decades from the vines of its south-facing hill just below the Mendips. Yet you won’t find a colossal selection to choose from, the team stay true to the mantra of quality over quantity. The concise collection includes just one sparkling white: its delicious 2021 Somerset Sparkling, a dry fizz yielding soft bubbles, baked apples on the nose and fruit-forward flavours.

£25

Swanaford Classic Cuvée 2018, Devon

This award-winning vintage sparkling wine, produced at Swanaford Estate’s ten-acre vineyard in the Teign Valley, would be a wonderful wine to uncork this Christmas.

The traditional-method South West fizz is made from the classic Champagne grape varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, and is aged on its lees for four years resulting in floral and brioche notes complemented by zesty apple and citrus fruit. Delicate yet well-balanced, the IEWA Gold-Medal-winning Cuvée finishes with a soft flourish of sweetness. Swanaford’s winemakers recommend serving it on Christmas Day as an aperitif, or pairing it with smoked salmon or turkey. 

If you like what you taste and are keen to sample more from Swanaford, you can book a tasting and tour of the Dartmoor vines.

£28.95

Knightor Winery Seaton Vineyard Red Sparkling 2018, Cornwall

For those who enjoy straying from tradition at Christmas, consider mixing up the day’s drinks list with this curveball sparkling red.

Created purely from Rondo grapes as part of a small-batch release from the winery’s Seaton vineyard, the medium-sweet sparkling red is a fun fruity pick for the festivities. Its aromas showcase blackberry, cherry and blackcurrant, while the palate is lively and punctuated with berry flavours.

‘This fruity wine is an all-rounder and perfect for every key aspect of Christmas – whether that’s a toast to start the day, paired with the Christmas turkey, or matched with a cheeseboard,’ says Knightor’s head winemaker David Brocklehurst.

Bride Valley Dorset Crémant

Crémant fans are sure to have all the jolly feels about this fizz from Dorset’s Bride Valley, which has just come back into stock for the big day.

As the only home-produced Crémant in the UK, the sparkling wine has secured a legion of fans who favour its easy-drinking nature and ability to glide across the palate with gentle creaminess.

A fresh, floral nose of citrus, stone fruit and brioche is accompanied by decadent tasting notes of apple strudel and sherbet lemon. The luscious texture and fresh, citrus acidity makes it a great choice for pairing alongside a multitude of festive-favourite dishes.

£29

Like 5 of the best South West fizz for Christmas Day? Check out 5 of the best Christmas drinks.

We choose the companies included in our 5 of the best features based on editorial integrity. Occasionally, some inclusions will be handpicked from clients with whom we have a commercial relationship.