By Mallory Legg
There is a truth made reality through repetition: French wine, specifically champagne, is the best. French wine has long been revered worldwide because of its ‘sense of place’; the climate, elevation, and soil composition of France create a distinct flavour and body, with nuanced flavours making them versatile in food pairing.
This uniqueness is linked to the cool-to-temperate climate of Northern French regions, like Champagne.
French wine rules supreme due to its long-standing relationship with the earth. However, the earth is changing.
In recent decades, human impact has grown significantly; sea levels have risen, temperatures increased, and the sparkling wine market has expanded to include regions like England.
The Misconception of English Sparkling Wine
English wine has long been stigmatised for not competing with southern conditions. But in the last decade, this has changed. According to viticulture and climate consultant Alistair Nesbitt, the average temperatures in Southeast and South Central England have risen by about 1.8 degrees in the last 50 years, propelling England into being a new world wine region.
By 2030, Britain is forecast to produce 22 million bottles of wine a year, almost double the 12 million produced in 2022. Meanwhile, some of the biggest players in sparkling wine are adjusting their strategies to include English wineries and grapes.
Tattinger and Pommery have bought land and planted vines in England, while Henkell Freixenet acquired Bolney, an English wine estate, in 2022. These moves prove the French are taking English vineyards seriously. Enter Nyetimber and Chapel Down.
The Face of English Sparkling Wine? Nyetimber
Photo: Colmore Business District
In 1988, Stuart and Sandy Moss planted Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier to produce high-quality sparkling wine. Dutch businessman Eric Heerema, who hired Cherie Spriggs and Brad Greatrix as winemakers, later purchased the business. Nyetimber is now among the best sparkling wines in the world, winning countless awards.
Cherie Spriggs became the first female winemaker and the first person outside Champagne to win ‘Sparkling Winemaker of the Year’ at the International Wine Challenge (2018). Nyetimber’s Multivintage Classic Cuvée is now a ‘global calling card’ for English sparkling wine.
"Nyetimber has pushed English production into global recognition, encouraging other English producers..."
With over 800 acres in Sussex, Kent, and Hampshire, Nyetimber aims to produce well over one million bottles a year using only estate-grown fruit.
Nyetimber’s exceptional fruit quality and quantity are matched by the climate. With over 30 years of experience, they adapt to challenging weather and grow exponentially, exporting to global hotspots like Scandinavia, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
Nyetimber’s goal is to ‘craft exceptional wine that rivals the very best in the world’ and with a range of exquisitely produced sparkling wines, Nyetimber has pushed English production into global recognition, encouraging other English producers and challenging French counterparts annually.
Next up is Chapel Down, A Cornerstone of English Sparkling Wine
Photo: Chapel Down X
Similar to Nyetimber, Chapel Down is a growing global leader in the wine industry. England’s largest wine producer, Chapel Down wins awards at every competition they enter. Grapes are grown in Southeast England, where the terroir is similar to Champagne but cooler.
By sourcing fruit from partner vineyards across England, they create unique flavour profiles and experiment with new techniques. This has resulted in the ‘Discovery Series’ to celebrate English winemaking. Chapel Down’s innovative approach and endless grape supply set the precedent for English wine.
"Producers like Chapel Down and Nyetimber may now rival, if not surpass, French wines in taste and quality..."
In a recent test, Chapel Down went ‘incognito’ as ‘Chapelle en Bas’ in Champagne to investigate wine drinkers’ preferences. Comparing Chapel Down Brut with a major Champagne label, 60% of consumers preferred Chapel Down, finding it ‘fresher’ and ‘crisper.’
Brits drink nearly three times more Champagne than English sparkling wine, but this test suggests the perception of French wines being superior is outdated. Producers like Chapel Down and Nyetimber may now rival, if not surpass, French wines in taste and quality.
But what about the French Wine Regions?
Will English sparkling wine permanently compete with and surpass regions like Champagne? While uncertain, rising temperatures may eventually make regions like Champagne less conducive to sparkling wine production.
This shift highlights the effects of climate change on crops, especially in iconic regions leading the market for decades. Despite these challenges, it is exciting to see England adapt, adopting new practices and products, and opening fresh avenues to enjoy on the home front.
And before you go, now you have familiarised yourself with English Sparkling Wine, why not found out more about the wider world of bubbles and an introduction to pairing with food here.
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