English sparkling wines are pushing Champagne off its pedestal
Climate change and newcomers such as Digby Fine English have transformed the quality of the upstart winemaking industry’s bubblies
English sparkling wine is now a serious industry player. In 2015, more than five million bottles of sparkling and still wines were produced in the country.
Land under vine has doubled in the past 10 years, with more than 500 commercial vineyards and 133 wineries. Sparkling wine represents 70 per cent of wine production in England.
In the past, English wine was considered a novelty. Perceptions have changed, however, and sparkling wine is now exported to 27 countries, including France, the home of champagne.
The best vineyards are in the southern counties – Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, Dorset and Cornwall – and the quality of English sparkling wine has improved with climate change. Warmer weather conditions have favoured grape ripening and tamed acidity. In a blind tasting competition held in Paris by Britain’s Wine and Spirit Trade Association, English sparkling wine ranked better than champagne.
