Ambriel, 'Huzzah' Rosé, MV
Ambriel, 'Huzzah' Rosé, MV
- 75cl
- 11%
- Rosé Sparkling
- Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier
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Optimal drinking window: Now - 2035
Ambriel’s ‘Huzzah’ Rosé is exactly as the name suggests—a cheer in a glass, with all the vibrancy and elegance we’ve come to expect from this Sussex-based sparkling specialist.
This rosé is bursting with wild strawberries, pink grapefruit, and a hint of rose petal—balanced beautifully by crisp acidity and a fine, persistent mousse. There's a playful richness here too, thanks to time on lees, which adds just the right amount of complexity without weighing down the freshness.
Perfect for picnics, aperitifs, or whenever you need a lift. ‘Huzzah’ is Ambriel’s tribute to the more expressive, fruit-forward side of English fizz, and we’re completely on board.
Currently showing its youthful fruit-forward character at its peak, with wild strawberries and grapefruit dominating the profile. Over the next 2-3 years, expect the lees-derived richness to integrate further, creating more seamless complexity while the primary fruit softens slightly. The wine should hit a beautiful sweet spot around 2028-2034, where fruit, lees character, and acidity achieve perfect harmony. Beyond 2035, the vibrant fruit may begin to fade, though the quality base suggests graceful ageing is possible for patient cellars.
What the critics say:
"The MV Brut Rosé Huzzah is a blend of 59% Pinot Noir, 26% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Meunier that spent 83 months on lees. A deep pink hue suggests generosity and the nose offers richness with strawberry compote, tart red apple flesh and dried cranberry. The palate is beautifully rounded despite its slender frame, packing so much fruit, juiciness and delicious ripeness into its every atom. The finish is lip-smackingly fresh, especially for a wine disgorged in March 2023, with a lovely shortcrust note on the finish. This is beautiful now but will continue evolving. What a beauty. Dosage is 10 grams per liter."
"The Ambriel Huzzah Rosé MV, a multi-vintage blend of Pinot Noir (mainly), Chardonnay (some) and Pinot Meunier (a splash), is a favourite of Mrs Ray. She loves its pale salmon hue, its weight and texture, its creamy mousse and its hints of crushed raspberries and strawberries. I love that she can see off a bottle on her own without any help. ‘What’s a champagne stopper?’ she asks. I’m so proud of her."
Tasting Notes
AppearanceDeep salmon pink with fine, persistent bubbles forming elegant chains in the glass.
NoseWild strawberries and pink grapefruit leap from the glass, followed by delicate rose petal and a hint of strawberry compote. The long lees ageing shows in subtle brioche and shortcrust pastry notes that add complexity without overwhelming the fruit.
PalateBeautifully rounded despite its slender frame, packing impressive fruit intensity into every sip. The mousse is creamy and fine, carrying flavours of ripe strawberries, tart red apple, and dried cranberry. There's a lovely weight here thanks to that extended lees contact, but the wine never loses its essential freshness.
FinishLip-smackingly fresh and clean, with that characteristic shortcrust note lingering pleasantly.
Overall impressionThis is English sparkling wine showing both its fruit-forward charm and serious winemaking credentials in perfect harmony.
Food Pairings
In Sussex, this would be the natural partner for fresh crab from the local coast, perhaps dressed simply with mayonnaise and served with crusty bread from one of the county's artisan bakeries. The wine's fruit-forward character makes it perfect with summer berries and cream — strawberries and raspberries from the local pick-your-own farms that dot the South Downs. Traditional afternoon tea would be enhanced by this rosé, particularly with delicate salmon and cucumber sandwiches or Victoria sponge. The creamy mousse and gentle richness also complement the region's excellent goat's cheeses, especially those from the nearby Surrey Hills.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve well-chilled at 6-8°C to maintain that essential freshness and allow the fine mousse to show at its best. No need to decant — simply chill in an ice bucket for 20 minutes if starting from cellar temperature. Use proper flute or tulip-shaped glasses to concentrate the aromatics and preserve the bubbles, though a white wine glass works beautifully if you want to explore the complex nose fully.
The Sussex Downs provide the perfect marriage of chalk soils and maritime climate that sparkling wine grapes crave. These chalky soils, similar to those found in Champagne, offer excellent drainage while retaining enough moisture to keep the vines happy through England's increasingly warm summers. The proximity to the English Channel moderates temperatures, extending the growing season and preserving the crucial acidity that gives English fizz its backbone. This combination creates wines with both elegance and surprising depth.
While England doesn't have the formal appellation system of France, Sussex has emerged as the country's premier sparkling wine region, with chalk downland providing ideal conditions for Chardonnay and the Pinot family. The South Downs share geological DNA with Champagne's terroir, and the cool maritime climate naturally preserves acidity while allowing full flavour development. Many of England's most acclaimed sparkling wine producers have chosen Sussex, creating an unofficial quality benchmark that rivals established European regions.
FAQs
What does this rosé taste like?
Think wild strawberries and pink grapefruit with a creamy mousse and hints of rose petal — fruit-forward and joyful, but with serious depth from extended lees ageing.
When should I drink this wine?
It's gorgeous now and will continue evolving beautifully until 2035, though most bottles disappear much faster once people discover how moreish it is.
What food pairs well with this sparkling rosé?
Perfect for aperitifs, but also brilliant with fresh crab, summer berries and cream, afternoon tea, or soft goat's cheese — anything that matches its elegant playfulness.
How should I serve this wine?
Serve well-chilled at 6-8°C in proper flute or tulip glasses to preserve those lovely fine bubbles and concentrate the aromatics.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
While it's tempting to drink immediately, patient souls will be rewarded — the wine will develop greater complexity over the next few years as the lees character integrates with the fruit.
How does this compare to Champagne?
It's more fruit-forward and generous than most Champagne rosés, with that distinctive English freshness and an approachable charm that doesn't sacrifice sophistication.
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