To celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, the Royal Collection Shop launched an 'exclusive' sparkling wine, so fans can raise a royal glass to the new monarch.
With a shiny new bank holiday ahead of us as well as Coronation parties, a star-studded concert and plenty of pomp and regalia, I couldn't wait to get my hands on the fizz to see if it's fit for a King.
Prosecco is my usual drink of choice, but this £45 bottle of English sparkling wine is far more high-end than my usual supermarket favourite. With that said, it's a once-in-a-lifetime occasion for some, and many royal lovers are keen to go all-out.
The vintage sparkling wine, comprised of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, claims to have a 'fine delicate mousse' and bright citrus and orchard fruit notes, which sounds perfect for spring (even in the rain).
Boasting flavours of lemon, orange peel and green apple, there's also "hints of white peach and apricot, highlighting subtle notes of toasted brioche and delicate sweet spice".
It's said to have an elegant and round finish, with a 'lively freshness' and 'lingering mineral note' on the finish.
I thought these were rather bold claims, so I tasted the wine with somewhat high expectations, especially because the bottle was so fancy.
The only other beverage I've tried with a higher price tag is champagne, so I was subconsciously comparing it to that, too, and they both have a similar alcohol percentage, with this sparkling wine coming in at 12%.
Opening the bottle was rather abrupt as the cork shot out, spilling a lot of the golden nectar all over the garden. I must admit, it was rather fun after the initial shock of the liquid going everywhere.
On first sipping, I was pleased with how bubbly the beverage was. It was sweet, tasted sophisticated, and certainly transported me to a fantasy world where I personally received an invitation to the King's Coronation (a woman can dream!).
Back in the real world, I was really impressed with how delicious the wine tasted. If it was a little cheaper, I could certainly imagine it becoming a firm favourite on my wine rack because it's certainly as tasty as prosecco - if not tastier.
The overwhelming notes I could taste were the apples and pears, but there was a lovely subtle apricot flavour running through it too.
Would I say it's worth £45? If you're having a gorgeous garden party with lovely light nibbles and guests you treasure and want to impress - certainly. But if you're just looking to get tipsy with your friends, I'd probably opt for something a little more budget-friendly because it goes down a little too easily.
