RAISE A GLASS WITH JANE CLARE

I THOUGHT I’d died and gone to fizz heaven when I went to the first annual tasting of Wines of Great Britain the other day.

Scores of producers around the room chatted and shared the love of their wines and three long central tables showcased a veritable festival of bubbles (and lots of still wines too) created on this island of ours.

Our sparkling wines are amazing and this week gives you a perfect reason to enjoy a glass – it is English Wine Week and Welsh Wine Week (up to June 3).

A new kid on the block is Black Chalk Wine which launched at the fair under the watchful eye of winemaker Jacob Leadley and his business partner Andrew Seden.

Black Chalk isn’t a reference to the terroir in the Hampshire vineyards, but a nod to the chalk artists use when they are taking the first steps towards creating a piece of art.

Jacob told me that is how they feel about the wines they have created; it is the beginning of their own wine ”artwork” which will continue to develop and grow. Classic 2015 (£35) and Wild Rose 2015 (£40) are both from blackchalkwine. co.uk and the wines – so new to the market – are picking up distributors every week, so keep an eye out.

The classic is a blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier, the traditional champagne grapes, and the wine is made in the same way as champagne. It has already won a silver medal at the International Wine Challenge and is a fruit forward wine, with delicate floral hints and a delightful freshness.

Pinot meunier takes the lead in the Wild Rose blend, which has notes of redcurrant, raspberries and ripe strawberries. Digby Leander Pink, left, (£30, Waitrose and Marks & Spencer, 12% abv) is another classic blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier (you can see what we’re doing here in the UK!), and I shared a glass with Trevor Clough, CEO of Digby Fine English.

It is so-called because the wine was created through a partnership with the Leander Rowing Club. Every bottle sold supports its academy, training young oarsmen and women. Oh, the wine is delicious too, with notes of cherry, dried raspberry, lemon and a biscuit bite.

Find out more about English and Welsh wine weeks at englishwineproducers.co.uk and you can find Wines of Great Britain on Twitter at @Wine_GB

Also in my glass... I appear to have a sparkling theme going on this week! Many moons ago I visited cava country as a guest of Freixenet which exports over 200m bottles of wine every year.

I’ve always had a soft spot for the brand (they were great hosts) so I was interested to see they have a new wine out this month.

Freixenet has moved away from its Spanish roots to create Italian

Sparkling Rosé (RRP £12, Tesco, 11% abv) which is a blend of the glera grape (at the heart of prosecco wines) and pinot noir.

Its pretty pink notes tinkle and glint through a cut-glass bottle.

It has aromas of summer fruit, redcurrants and a flash of citrus and is lightly fruity to taste, though the flavours don’t last particularly long.

It would be pretty for a table at a summertime celebration.

Jane is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Find her on social media and online as One Foot in the Grapes.