Ambriel, English Reserve Demi-Sec, MV
Ambriel, English Reserve Demi-Sec, MV
- 75cl
- 11%
- White Sparkling
- Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
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Optimal drinking window: Now - 2035
With a touch of residual sugar and a whole lot of charm, this is a fizz that’s generous without being heavy. You'll find baked apple, pear tart, a little honeyed lemon wrapped up in a soft mousse and carried by a gentle, refreshing acidity. There’s a lovely creaminess too, thanks to extended lees ageing, giving it richness and depth.
Perfect for pairing with lightly spiced dishes, fruit-based desserts, or just enjoyed as a celebration in a glass.
Sparkling wine doesn’t always have to play it dry to be seriously sophisticated. This multi-vintage blend comes from the West Sussex-based Ambriel estate, where precise winemaking and a sense of fun go hand in hand.
This wine is drinking beautifully now, with seven years on lees having already developed the creamy complexity that makes it so appealing. The fruit flavours are at their peak integration, with apple and pear notes perfectly balanced by the dosage. It's built for current enjoyment rather than long ageing.
What the critics say:
"The MV Demi-Sec English Reserve is a blend of 68% Pinot Noir and 32% Chardonnay that spent seven years on lees. Tart green and ripe red apple blend with notes of kefir and sponge cake. The palate is wonderfully light-footed and svelte, with a super-creamy mousse that swirls aromatic apple notes around the palate, making them shimmer and catch the light like glitter inside a snow globe. This evokes a feeling of beautiful, supple, smooth movement in a wine that comes with surprising depth of fruit, adding tart plum to the lovely apple notes. Wonderful. Dosage is 32 grams per liter."
"The Ambriel English Reserve MV, my pick of the Ambriel range, must surely be England’s only single estate demi-sec. A Pinot Noir-led blend aged for seven years on the lees, it has a dosage of 32g per litre, the extra sweetness giving depth, richness, texture and delight. It’s not lusciously sweet, just sweeter than usual, making it the perfect partner for fruit tarts, wedding cakes and carefree summer picnics. Ideal for effervescent elevenses too."
"Delicate at first, before really hitting its stride in the mouth, with expressive red apple, peach and sweet berry fruits. *Silver*"
Tasting Notes
AppearancePale gold with persistent, fine bubbles forming an elegant mousse.
NoseBaked apple and pear tart dominate, with honeyed lemon and subtle hints of sponge cake from extended lees ageing. There's a lovely creaminess that suggests richness without heaviness.
PalateLight-footed and svelte despite the dosage, with creamy mousse carrying apple and pear flavours that shimmer on the tongue. The sweetness is perfectly balanced by gentle acidity, creating harmony rather than cloying richness.
FinishClean and refreshing with lingering apple and a touch of mineral precision.
Overall impressionA sophisticated demi-sec that proves English sparkling wine can master styles beyond bone-dry elegance.
Food Pairings
In West Sussex, this would pair beautifully with traditional afternoon tea featuring Victoria sponge cake or lemon curd tarts. Local apple orchards provide the perfect match, whether as fresh fruit tarts or classic apple crumble with clotted cream. The wine also complements the county's soft cheeses and would be lovely with Sussex honey drizzled over fresh berries.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve well-chilled at 6-8°C in flute or tulip-shaped glasses to showcase the persistent mousse. No need to decant, but do allow it to warm slightly in the glass to reveal the full spectrum of apple and pear flavours. Open just before serving to preserve the delicate bubbles.
The West Sussex vineyards benefit from chalky soils similar to those found across the Channel in Champagne. The maritime climate provides long, cool growing seasons that preserve acidity while allowing gradual flavour development. The chalk drainage and gentle slopes create ideal conditions for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, resulting in fruit with natural elegance and mineral backbone.
West Sussex has emerged as one of England's premier sparkling wine regions, with chalk downs that mirror the geology of Champagne. The area benefits from a temperate maritime climate and well-draining soils that suit Chardonnay and Pinot Noir perfectly. Unlike many English producers who focus exclusively on dry styles, Ambriel has pioneered sweeter expressions that showcase the region's versatility.
FAQs
What does this demi-sec taste like?
Think baked apple tart with cream, honeyed lemon, and gentle bubbles. It's sweeter than typical English fizz but never cloying, with lovely balance between fruit and acidity.
When should I drink this wine?
Perfect right now and will stay charming until 2035. The seven years on lees have already given it the complexity it needs, so no point in waiting.
What food pairs best with demi-sec?
Fruit tarts, wedding cake, or anything from afternoon tea. The sweetness makes it brilliant with desserts, but it's light enough for carefree summer picnics too.
How is this different from dry English sparkling wine?
The 32g dosage gives it richness and depth that dry wines can't match, while still keeping things elegant. It's England's answer to demi-sec Champagne, but with its own distinctive character.
How should I serve this wine?
Well-chilled at 6-8°C in proper flute glasses. Open just before serving to keep those bubbles lively, and let it warm slightly in the glass to show off the apple and pear flavours.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
Not really - it's already had seven years on lees to develop complexity, and demi-sec styles are built for drinking rather than ageing. Enjoy it while the fruit is fresh and vibrant.
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