A DORSET vineyard has made the UK's first crémant wine - a less bubbly style of sparkling wine.

Bride Valley Vineyard at Litton Cheney near Bridport is behind the bottles of crémant (pronounced cray-mont), which consist of gentle fizz, not the nose-tingling experience of some bubblies.

Wine maker and wine expert Steven Spurrier said: "I am very pleased to announce the launch of the UKs first crémant wine from Bride Valley Wines."

Crémant wine has never been produced before in the UK and in order to classify Bride Valley Crémant as such, Steven was obliged to register its own PDO (protected designation of origin).

Although still a sparkling wine, crémant has lower fizz than traditional bubbly which gives Dorset Crémant a smoother, creamier taste. It is made from the harvests of colder 2015 and 2016 when the vines were less prolific and the granny smith acidity perfectly balances the creamy palate.

Steven has been in the wine trade since 1964. He became famous for organising what became known as The Judgement of Paris, a blind tasting that launched Californian wines onto the market and changed the wine world forever. Celebrated throughout the industry for his extensive knowledge, he decided to plant his own vines in 2009 near his home in Litton Cheney.

Until now Bride Valley Wines has been producing three varieties of sparkling wine, Blanc de Blanc, Brut Reserve and Rose Bella (named after Steven’s wife). This year 5,500 bottles of the Bride Valley Crémant have been added to this portfolio. Bride Valley Wines, including the new crémant, are available to purchase from Palmers Wine Store in Bridport and Morrish & Banham Wine Merchants in Dorchester for £29.99.