Why is English sparkling wine on the rise, and is it as good as Champagne?

English sparkling wine, English fizz, English Champagne – whatever you want to call it (although the latter isn’t technically legally allowed), the success of this tasty fizz is undeniable.

Most wine produced in England is sparkling wine. While the 2024 domestic market saw Champagne sales decrease by 9%, English sparkling remained steady, selling around 6.2 million bottles [1,2] .

English sparkling wines are regularly competing with, and often winning awards at the expense of Champagne. Yet until about 30 years ago, the fizz as we know it didn’t even exist.

So, what’s the story? Discover why English sparkling wine is on the rise, and why it might just be as good Champagne.

1. English sparkling wine is made from the same grapes as Champagne

Three grape varieties – Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, are used to make almost all Champagne.

These are exactly the same grapes used in English sparkling wine. And these are exactly what the first English champagne makers, Nyetimber, (who, funnily enough, weren’t even English) planted in 1988.

Turns out, the classic trio ripen well enough for the traditional method in England’s maritime climate, producing delicate yet complex, pure tasting wine.

At Two Beacons, our award-winning English sparkling wine is made from Pinot Noir grapes, curating a beautiful berry-fresh fizz.

In later vintages we have produced Blanc in addition to Rose, and from 2027 onwards our extended vineyard will include the other two Champagne varieties

Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier – watch this space!

2. English sparkling wine is made by the traditional method

Not only does English sparkling wine use Champagne grape varieties, but also the Champagne method, of two fermentations, extended time on the lees, riddling and disgorging.

Traditional method English sparkling wines require a minimum of nine months aging on the lees. And like their French counterparts, the longer time on the lees, the more complex and ageable the resultant wines are.

Our award-wining 2021 Sparkling Rose Pinot Noir had 18 months on lees, producing a mouth-filling, creamy pink fizz. The following year, we took some of our 2022 Sparkling Rose Pinot Noir after 18 months and left the rest for another 12 months - the difference is quite incredible.

3. English soils and climate are perfect for a quality fizz

So good that even the Champagne growers themselves have been planting vines in England.

First up were Taittinger, who, already impressed by the quality of English sparkling wine, planted a vineyard in Kent in 2017 [3] . Pommery soon followed, with vines planted in Hampshire. The soils of southern England are geologically similar to those in Champagne. Additionally, the cooler climate in England provides a longer ripening period for the grapes.

After careful surveying (and a bit of wine tasting), our Two Beacons Vineyard founders, Ceri and Tim D, established two low-lying, south-facing plots, underlaid by the perfect mix of limestones and mudstones. This nutrient-rich, well-drained soil brings out the freshness and acidity in our grapes, and makes for some delicious wines.

4. English sparkling wine is excellent quality, and excellent value

English sparkling wine and Champagne are made by the same traditional method. But due to the smaller yield of grapes in England, English fizz actually costs more to produce.

And yet, if you compared a £30 bottle of English sparkling wine to a £30 bottle of Champagne, you’d probably find the quality of English wine at that price to be exceptional.

With the cost of living ever-increasing, many are turning to English sparkling wine for something just as special as champagne, but for a more agreeable price.

A cultural shift is occurring. English sparkling wine is gaining global recognition and appreciation. As time goes on, the English sparkling wine industry is adapting and innovating, with new technologies and advancements in sustainability.

And we’re thrilled to be a part of it.

References

1. Green M. Champagne sales suffered a sharp decline in 2024. In: Decanter [Internet]. 21 Jan 2025 [cited 5 Nov 2025]. Available:

https://www.decanter.com/wine-news/champagne-sales-suffered-a-sharp-decline-in-2024-548911/

2. Ellis EL. Growth of English and Welsh still wine sales outpaces sparkling. In: Decanter [Internet]. 29 Jul 2025 [cited 5 Nov 2025]. Available:

https://www.decanter.com/wine-news/growth-of-english-and-welsh-still-wine-sales-outpaces-sparkling-561925/

3. Smithers R. French champagne house Taittinger plants first vines in English soil. The Guardian. 7 May 2017. Available:

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/may/07/champagne-taittinger-plants-first-vines-english-soil-sparkling-wine. Accessed 18 Nov 2025.