A tour of global sparkling wines at Papple Steading

My experience of Champagne has been pretty limited so far – a rather depressing confession for someone in their 40s. While I am very happy to quaff glasses of posh fizzy stuff at drink receptions, I couldn’t have told you anything about what I was drinking. For this reason I was excited to attend the ‘Champagne & Sparkling Wine Around the World’ tasting at Papple Steading, a new arts and culture hospitality venture in the Lammermuir Hills in East Lothian. The tasting is the first of a three part summer series of events, encouraging locals and Edinburghers to come out to Papple to experience the beautifully restored 1800s steading and comprehensively stocked cellar. The atmosphere is jolly – it is a beautifully sunny evening and we are here to drink wine after all. The event is hosted by leading wine educator and Master of Wine Rose Murray Brown, who takes us on a journey of both taste and place, exploring 10 different sparkling wines from eight key wine producing regions: Brazil, England, Italy, South Africa, Spain, Hungary, France and a mystery location. We learn that wine is very much rooted in the climate, terroir and traditions of where it is produced, making this my kind of travel tour. Indeed, Rose offers wine tours to wine-growing regions like South Africa, allowing her guests to turn this virtual tour into a real one. The only sparkling wine region I have visited so far is the Franciacorta area in Lombardy in Italy, so I am pleased to see a Franciacorta on the list this evening from the Ferghettina winery. I am probably biased but this is one of my favourites of the night, noticeably lighter and smoother than some others. Another highlight for me is the Boreal Vendage from Champagne Clandestine, a more complex, zero dosage (no sugar) fizz. The tasting is accompanied by delicious canapes created by the chef of Eve’s Court, Papple’s new restaurant. These help to soak up some of the booze, which is far too good to spit out. We try two wines from wineries in England, Black Chalk from Hampshire and Herbert Hall from Kent, which are very different and signify the reputation the region has established in recent years – interestingly very popular in Norway, we discover. We also try a savoury Corpinnat from Penedes in Spain, an expression that has broken away from Cava and is made from 100% Xerel.lo, a grape that is unique to the country. However, the mystery wine is the real surprise, as not one of the group is able to guess that it is made in China and features rice wine alongside the more traditional grapes. I leave with a much broader understanding of sparkling wine, along with a somewhat more expensive taste in vino and the urge to book a holiday. Related: Cava - CORPINNAT rebellion in the rocky heart of Penedès Wine Articles Wine Events - including All You Need is Rhone Coming up at Papple 5th June 2026: The New Taste of South Africa 17th July 2026: A Tour Around Burgundy Papple Steading - Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland, EH41 4QD - 07769 577813 Hours: Monday, 9am till 4pm Thursday, Friday, Saturday 9am till 9pm Sunday, 9am till 4pm