English Sparkling Wine

Drink English Sparkling Wine before you die! Why?
Believe it or not, the English invented sparkling wine. It's your duty! 

England has probably done more to shape the modern wine world than any other country on the planet. So, it’s great to see the English now have a wine of their own that is truly world class. And, that this world class wine is a sparkling one really is quite fitting. They are the ones, after all, that developed the method for making sparkling wines. And are credited for being the ones who first (intentionally) made Champagne sparkle. 

Thanks to knowledge gained from cider production and strong, superior, domestic bottles English wine merchants would buy barrels of still (that's non-sparkling) Champagne and then referment it in bottle to give this flat Champagne some effervescence.   
A bottle of Ridgeview Blanc de Noirs English Sparkling Wine with a Full English Breakfast - a new classic food and wine pairing? English sparkling wine - the best sparkling wine. Bucket list wines. Wines to try before you die
English Sparkling Wine - the perfect match to a Full English Breakfast | © bibendum-wine.co.uk
  1. England now boasts multiple producers of top quality sparkling wine that is snapping at the heels of Champagne. Some Champagne producers have even set up production across the channel. The most notable being Taittinger who launched Domaine Evremond in Kent in 2015. Being relatively new, the English producers don't have the depth or volume of reserve wine that the Champagne houses have to add depth and complexity to their non-vintage offerings, but are still very impressive.

  3. Given the small production and high domestic demand, it’s not always the easiest wine to find. But, given what this tiny little nation has contributed to the wine world as we know it today there’s almost a sense of duty to try some English wine.

A hillside vineyard on a (rare) sunny day Cornwall, England. English sparkling wine - the original sparkling wine. Original wine - the best wine. Bucket list wines. Wines to try before you die.
A hillside vineyard on a (rare) sunny day Cornwall, England | © Hyon-Mok Sohn / stock.adobe.com

Top 10 English Sparkling Wines that are Bucket List Worthy 

A pioneer in the modern English sparkling wine scene, Wiston Estate in West Sussex is family-run and proudly minimal intervention. They press their grapes using a traditional Coquard press—very rare outside of Champagne—showing their commitment to quality from vineyard to bottle. Their Blanc de Blancs is an exercise in purity and precision—green apple, racy citrus energy and flinty minerality. 

2. Nyetimber - Classic Cuvée

Probably the most iconic name in English fizz, Nyetimber has been setting the standard since the late 1980s from their West Sussex winery. Their wines consistently rival Champagne for finesse, richness, and elegance. The Classic Cuvée is a benchmark: a beautifully balanced blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier with notes of baked apple, brioche, and a whisper of almond. 

3. Gusbourne - Blanc de Blancs

From the chalk-rich soils of Kent, Gusbourne’s Blanc de Blancs is a showstopper. Pure Chardonnay and aged for extended time on lees, it delivers refined citrus, white flowers, and an oyster shell salinity. A must for lovers of precise, mineral-driven sparkling.

4. Ridgeview - Bloomsbury Brut

One of the early pioneers, Ridgeview helped kickstart the English sparkling movement with its vineyard in the South Downs. Their Bloomsbury Brut is a vibrant, orchard fruit-forward wine with creamy texture and crisp acidity. It’s even been served at several royal events—flying the British flag for fizz.

5. Camel Valley - Pinot Noir Rosé Brut

From sunny Cornwall comes Camel Valley, founded in 1989. Their Pinot Noir Rosé Brut is a berry-scented beauty, with wild strawberry, citrus, and a dry, zingy finish. In a 2008 international competition, it famously beat multiple big name Champagnes coming second only to Bollinger.

6. Simpsons - Chalklands Classic Cuvée

Based in Kent’s North Downs, Simpsons bring a modern, terroir-focused approach to English fizz. Their Chalklands Classic Cuvée is bright and expressive, with white peach, lemon curd, and gentle autolytic notes. Stylish, sleek, and seriously good.

7. Hattingley Valley - Classic Reserve

From Hampshire, Hattingley Valley is known for innovation and attention to detail. Their Classic Reserve blends freshness and complexity beautifully, with orchard fruit, toasted nuts, and a creamy mousse. A vibrant, versatile sparkler that stands tall among its peers.

8. Hambledon - Classic Cuvée

England’s oldest commercial vineyard, Hambledon focuses solely on traditional method sparkling wines—and it shows. Their Classic Cuvée is aged for over three years on lees, developing rich texture and aromas of hazelnut, lemon peel, and baked apple. A refined, structured expression of English terroir.

9. Chapel Down - Three Graces

One of England’s most recognisable wine names, Chapel Down delivers consistency and class. Their Three Graces is an elegant blend of the Champagne grapes, offering creamy lemon, soft toast, and floral hints. It’s approachable yet polished—a great entry point into English fizz.

10. Digby - Vintage Reserve Brut

A luxurious wine with personality, Digby’s Vintage Reserve Brut is rich and layered, offering tropical fruit, spice, and brioche. Named after Sir Kenelm Digby (who invented the modern wine bottle), this sparkler is proof that history and hedonism can go hand-in-hand.