A Guide to English Sparkling Wine

No longer a niche winemaking pursuit practiced by eccentric dreamers, English sparkling wine is enjoying a moment in the sun. Over eight million bottles of English sparkling wine were produced in 2022, and the quality of the sparklers coming out of England’s green and pleasant land has never been higher.

The top English sparkling wines are now mentioned in the same breath as Champagne, and some—like the Wyfold Vineyard Brut 2017—have trumped the famous French fizz in blind-tasting competitions judged by some of the best palates on the planet.

The UK has over 900 vineyards and more than 200 wineries. While production remains small compared to Champagne, demand is at an all-time high as fizz lovers around the globe fall for the apple-scented charms of English sparkling wine.

What Makes English Sparkling Wine Unique?

The south of England is ideal for sparkling wine production, thanks to its maritime climate, an abundance of chalk soils and a high number of sunshine hours—all of which allow wine grapes to ripen slowly and evenly. With slightly cooler temperatures than in Champagne, the grapes here stay on the vine longer, meaning the wines bear the hallmarks of the racy acidity you find in cooler climates. This gives English fizz its signature taste, akin to biting into a juicy Granny Smith apple.

Where the Best English Sparking Wines Are Made

Vines were first introduced to England by the Romans, with evidence of vineyards in Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire. Today, the prime spot for grape growing lies along the southern strip of England’s coast, from Cornwall to Kent. This is thanks to the area’s wealth of chalky soils and drier, sunnier climate.

Surrey

Stretching from Farnham to the White Cliffs of Dover, sunny Surrey boasts a wealth of chalky soils identical to those found in Champagne, making it an ideal place for producing some of the best English sparkling wines. The county is home to several leading vineyards, including the Albury, Greyfriars and Denbies in Dorking, where you’ll find England’s largest vineyard.

Influenced by their chalky soils, sparkling wines from Surrey have a flinty, mineral character, citrus aromas and bright acidity.

Kent

To the east of Surrey is Kent, affectionately known as the ‘Garden of England’ due to its gentle hills and bounty of apple orchards. It’s the birthplace of top English sparkling producers, including Gusbourne, Chapel Down and Balfour, and the soils here are a mixture of sand and clay. They’re nutrient-rich and retain both water and heat, leading to riper, fuller-bodied wines than those grown in chalk.

Mirroring the fruits grown nearby, Kent sparklers are redolent with apple and elderflower aromas that evoke English hedgerows in a glass. The land in Kent has been deemed so suitable for wine production that esteemed Champagne producer Taittinger planted vines in the county in 2015 at Domaine Evremond.

Sussex

It’s one of the sunniest spots in the UK, which is why Sussex is a leading producer of English fizz. Situated in the southeast of England, the region is divided into two counties: East Sussex and West Sussex.

They’re home to several big-name wineries, including Nyetimber, Ridgeview and Rathfinny. In 2022, Sussex wine was granted PDO status—the first region in England to achieve the accolade—giving it the same legal status as Jersey Royal potatoes, Cornish clotted cream and Stilton cheese. The terroir of Sussex is characterized by its limestone chalk soils, which lend its sparkling wines a mineral character reminiscent of licking a wet pebble.

Hampshire

West of Sussex, you’ll find Hampshire, where vineyards are planted along the rolling hills of the South Downs. With its free-draining chalk soils similar to those found in Champagne, the county is home to Hattingley Valley, newcomer Black Chalk and England’s oldest commercial vineyard—Hambledon, which was founded in 1951 by Francophile Sir Guy Salisbury-Jones, who was ahead of the curve in spotting the potential of England to make world-class wine. Champagne house Pommery owns the Pinglestone vineyard in Hampshire, making sparkling wine under the Louis Pommery England brand.

What Does English Sparkling Wine Tastes Like?

While it’s hard to generalize, as so many different styles of fizz are being made in England today, the hallmark of English sparkling wine is its racy acidity, which translates into tart citrus and crisp green apple aromas that are balanced by softer, more generous flavors of toasted brioche and roasted nuts in the top expressions.

A perfect example of this delicate balance of citrus, stone fruit and toasty flavors is Windsor Great Park 2016, made from a vineyard planted within the grounds of Windsor Castle.

How English Fizz Compares to Champagne

While English sparkling wine and Champagne have a lot in common—from the chalky soils in which their vineyards are planted to the three grapes used in their production—Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier—there are distinct differences, too. Both types of sparkling wine are made in the ‘traditional’ method and get their fizz due to a secondary fermentation that takes place inside the bottle.

When it comes to taste, Champagne is richer in flavor, offering notes of biscuit and pastry—a result of time spent in contact with the lees (yeast particles) during the aging process. English sparkling wine exhibits some of these characteristics, too, but tends to be fresher and livelier than Champagne, with a focus on mouthwatering lemon and apple flavors.

When to Serve English Sparkling Wine

English fizz is an incredibly versatile wine that’s suitable for all manner of occasions, from picnics and barbecues to milestone celebrations. Given its sprightly nature, it makes for an ideal aperitif, but the richer, more complex examples can hold their own throughout a meal and pair perfectly with everything from oysters and seafood to risottos and chicken dishes in creamy sauces via cheese, charcuterie and pastry-driven desserts like Napoleon.

Shop our full selection of sparkling wines.

Reanna, Wine Advisor Team Director

Originally from England, yet born in India, now living in the States, I have had a rather colorful life—with most of it being in all the shades, pigments, perfumes & plethoras of wonderful wine.

WSET – Level 3 Wines & Spirits Certified
Sake Level 1 Certified

Oaked Sauvignon Blanc • Aged Sémillon • Spicy Shiraz/Syrah • Tuesday night Etna Rosso • Vintage Champagne!

reanna@laithwaites.com | (203) 523-2161

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