No 'pagne, no gain! English sparkling wine is going up in the world - but it's a tough sell for lovers of the French variety
No 'pagne, no gain! English sparkling wine is going up in the world - but it's a tough sell for lovers of the French variety
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With its Champagne region, France has ruled over the sparkling wine market for centuries - but now England is coming for that title. Gone are the days of dinner party hosts wincing as their guests hand them a bottle of 'the UK's finest'; now, English sparkling wine is in high demand among customers with brands such as Chapel Down increasing in popularity.
![[Cherie Spriggs (pictured), head winemaker at English sparkling wine brand Nyetimber, said that because England is still a 'newcomer' when it comes to winemaking, people are often sceptical to try it]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/25/13/92964905-14156529-Cherie_Spriggs_pictured_head_winemaker_at_English_sparkling_wine-a-8_1737812903569.jpg)
It's a phenomenon primarily due to global warming, with climate change enabling a new generation of winemakers to cash in on climate change as vineyards are now flourishing in England's balmy temperatures. 'For typically cooler countries, such as England, global warming has actually resulted in temperatures being better suited to growing grapes than they were 20 or 30 years ago,' Michael Kennedy, CEO of English Sparkling Wine brand Roebuck Estates, said.
![[Roebuck Estates currently owns a total of six vineyards - five of which are in Sussex and one in Kent]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/09/17/92964935-14156529-Roebuck_Estates_currently_possesses_six_vineyards_five_of_which_-m-26_1733763998487.jpg)
Kennedy added: 'In the southeast of England, it is estimated that average temperatures have risen by approximately 1.4 degrees since the 1980s, which means that we now have a very good climate for growing grapes, particularly for sparkling wine.'. While it's benefitting the UK, with vineyards reaching as far north as Scotland, it's interfering with business in warmer countries. Kennedy said: 'Looking more broadly, global warming is a real concern and has had a significant impact on wine production around the world.
![[Nyetimber was established in 1988 by founders Stuart and Sandy Moss, who were the first winemakers in the UK to plant the three Champagne variety vines: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier (pictured: Nyetimber vineyard)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/12/14/92964913-14156529-Nyetimber_was_established_in_1988_by_founders_Stuart_and_Sandy_M-a-3_1734014883634.jpg)
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