Furleigh Estate, Classic Cuvee, 2018

There’s something about your first. Mine was an older vintage of Furleigh’s Classic Cuvée — my first real introduction to English wine — and I still remember how it stopped me in my tracks. It had some of the richness and depth I loved in Champagne, but with this extra zing. A kind of ballet of citrus and pastry notes that danced across the palate — bright, refined, and unexpectedly moreish.

Years later, I still look forward to each new vintage from Furleigh Estate. This 2018 is from a particularly good year, and it shows. You’ll find crisp Sicilian lemon, delicate floral notes, and a fine, refreshing mousse — a fizz that feels elegant yet characterful. A brilliant Dorset bottle from a producer who helped put English sparkling wine on the map.