English sparkling wine recognized as the best in the world for the first time: a review by Alex James.

According to The Sun: Forget about expensive French champagne - it's better to enjoy quality British sparkling wines.

English sparkling wine has been recognized as the best in the world for the first time in history by the International Wine Committee, surpassing French brands.

Alex James tested the best British sparkling wine after the international awardDamien MacFadden

Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs Magnum 2016 from Sussex costs £50 per bottle, but there are many affordable alternatives from British producers starting at £9.99.

Blur bassist and gourmet Alex James, who also makes his own Britpop Brut English Sparkling (£22, alexjames.co), tried several options today and shared his impressions.

Featured Bowler and Brolly Sparkling Wine of England, £9.99, 75cl, Aldi

Aldi sparkling wine comes in an elegant bottle and has a golden colorDamien MacFadden

French champagnes spent hundreds of years establishing champagne as a luxury product.

Opening a bottle always symbolizes celebration - this is well evident on Formula 1 podiums.

James Bond is always thrilled when ordering champagne. Who would have thought that one day he would ask for Bowler and Brolly instead of Bollinger?

The bottle looks elegant, although I found it difficult to open the cork - and I have opened quite a few bottles.

After a successful opening, the drink surprised with its golden color, bright flavors, and notes of marmalade.

Perhaps it's not quite what James Bond would expect, but it's perfect for pairing with orange juice at breakfast.

VERDICT: 3/5

Traditional English sparkling wine Asquith Gardens, £17.27, 75cl, Asda

Asda's Asquith Gardens sparkling wine is filled with bubbles and is a wonderful companion to foodDamien MacFadden

I must admit, I was impressed by the quality of the wines we tried, especially considering their price.

This wine was aged in barrels for five years, it is described as 'traditional English', and I completely agree with that.

This proves that English sparkling wine has made great strides in a short time.

It's delicate, impressive, full of bubbles, and a flavor perfection, suitable for any event - from festive breakfasts to toasts.

British sparkling wine pairs wonderfully with food, and this wine would be an excellent choice for a classic dish - fish with chips.

Its satisfying acidity is just what is needed to cut through the fat, while the bubbles provide a light cleansing for the palate.

VERDICT: 4/5

Taste the Difference Ellercombe English Sparkling Wine, £22, 75cl, Sainsbury’s

Tasting sparkling wine Alex James. Ellercombe.Damien MacFadden

Lovely bottle, attractive label. This is a great drink, gentle yet refreshing, with pleasant notes of fresh bread. Very tasty.

For an added English touch, wild blueberries can be added to your glass.

We should celebrate, for these are the golden times of our winemaking.

The perfect climate and suitable soil for chardonnay, pinot noir, and pinot meunier grapes used for sparkling wine have finally paid off, as experienced winemakers turn these grapes into premium products.

The areas of southeast England, where most British vineyards are located, are ten times cheaper than in France, thus production costs are reduced as well.

This is a great option for the price - although personally, I believe my Britpop wines at the same price are better. But I would say that!

VERDICT: 4/5

Chapel Down A Touch of Sparkle Rosé Wine£17, 75cl, Majestic (£13 on promotion, Ocado)

Ocado wine for £13 is crispy and refreshing, with a light taste of strawberry and creamDamien MacFadden

Strong bottles were invented by an Englishman named Sir Kenelm Digby.

These containers were initially used for making cider and, due to their strength, were adopted by French monks. For hundreds of years, the art of making sparkling wine was refined in France.

I am impressed by the variety of flavors and aromas of these English sparkling wines, which are available at very attractive prices in supermarkets.

None of the options presented turned out to be unsuccessful, and each wine I tried has something appealing.

Despite being crispy and refreshing, this wine somehow reminds me of strawberries and cream. It really lifted my spirits and would make a wonderful aperitif.

VERDICT: 4/5

Kingscote Sparkling Wine, £18, 75cl, Tesco

Kingscote from Tesco - true quality, and everyone would be happy to receive such a bottleDamien MacFadden

Since the 1700s, champagne has been gifted to the French royal family - it was one of the first examples of influencer marketing.

This bottle from Tesco costs less than £20 but looks like it should be served to a king.

Upon opening, the wine makes a satisfying 'fssst'.

French people consider it a bit rude to pop corks and prefer a gentle opening, and I must agree, as I don't want to spill a drop.

When poured, the wine looks beautiful, has a nice golden color, sparkling small bubbles, and bright apple notes.

This is true quality, and everyone would be happy to receive such a bottle.

VERDICT: 4/5

The Uncommon English Bubbly Rosé, £5.99, 250ml, drinksupermarket.com

This wine breaks all stereotypes, presented in a can instead of a bottleDamien MacFadden

I love all the labels and designs associated with wine - especially sparkling, but sometimes rules are made to be broken.

In one of my favorite scenes from the movie 'Blues Brothers', the main characters go to an elite restaurant, order expensive champagne, and shock the sommelier by drinking it from glasses instead of flutes.

This brings a smile to my face even before I taste the English sparkling presented in a can.

This wine is described as dry, pale, and bold, and it matches these characteristics.

It lacks the refinement of the other wines on this list and resembles simple prosecco more. But it's bright, light, and suitable for any situation.

And you don’t even need a glass.

VERDICT: 3/5

Denbies English Sparkling Bacchus, £15.95, 75cl, denbies.co.uk

To create such a luxurious wine, an experienced winemaker and quality grape harvest is neededDamien MacFadden

I like the name - after all, Bacchus was the god of wine - and the label, which looks like it has more gold in it than a billionaire's toilet.

The wine promises 'delicate aromatic and floral sparkling drink', and I realized that I was missing it that day.

This wine is incredibly sparkling until it is poured into a glass, and then the complexity of aromas with notes of peach and passion fruit emerges.

This is a true masterpiece, in my opinion.

It is difficult to dispute such quality. To create such a sophisticated drink for 15 pounds, an experienced winemaker and good grape harvest are needed.

You would find it hard to find such quality for this price in France. This is a win for any occasion - from breakfast to dinner.

VERDICT: 5/5

Bramble Hill English Sparkling Wine, £14, 75cl, Marks and Spencer

This wine would be perfect for cocktails, says AlexDamien MacFadden

An impressive bottle filled with a bubbling golden drink.

This is absolutely justified in taste, although it may lack the elegance of some other aged wines that I have tried.

This wine goes great with chicken sauce or, in my opinion, is better used for cocktails.

Sparkling wine always pairs well with orange juice for bucks fizz or with peach juice for a classic Bellini.

A black velvet made of a 50/50 mix of Guinness and sparkling wine is always appropriate. Add a little Ribena, and you get a black stripe.

One of my favorite dishes is the Italian cocktail Sgroppino.

Blend two scoops of lemon sorbet, add a generous pour of this wine and a little vodka.

VERDICT: 3/5