The Sunday Telegraph

English wine is coming on a treat, says JOHN DOWNES. He concedes that Bordeaux and Burgundy probably don't need to lose any sleep, but Champagne may be a different story. He comments: The chalk soils so important to Champagne's unique style also line the Sussex coast. Add Blighty's marginal climate, the same grape blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier together with "methode champenoise" production, and the recipe for a world-class sparkler becomes a reality.' His recommendations include 2003 RidgeView Bloomsbury (15.95).
SUSY ATKINS makes a few suggestions for party season wines and urges her readers to trade up to at least a fiver. According to Atkins, the best red wines for about 5 come from reliably warm spots like Languedoc or Sicily', and the top whites for the same price come from the Loire. One of her particular suggestions is 2006 Co-op Argentine Pinot Grigio, Famatina Valley (4.99).