A Brief History of English Sparkling Wine

If you think that English fizz is a recent trend? Think again.

As far back as 1662, scientist Christopher Merret documented the method of secondary fermentation in a bottle - well before the French were doing it.

Also in the 17th century, Kenelm Digby developed the stronger glass that made sparkling wine bottles possible without exploding under pressure. So yes, the English roots in sparkling wine run deep.

Still, it wasn’t until the 1980s that serious commercial production began. Carr Taylor was the first to release a traditional method sparkling wine in 1984. In 1988, Nyetimber planted Champagne varieties in Sussex, and by 1997, they were winning gold medals on the international stage.

Since then, over 100 producers have followed, with vineyards spreading across the South of England—particularly in Kent, Sussex, Surrey, and Hampshire. Today, around 75% of all English wine produced is sparkling.

Royal households, global sommeliers, and wine lovers alike are raising a glass to English Sparkling.

Why Buy From Us?

We carefully review and select from some of the smaller and newer producers and only choose the very best award-winning English Sparkling Wine. Our current wines of choice are from The Grange Hampshire and have been praised for their finesse and quality. Their Classic Cuvée and Pink Sparkling are celebrated by experts like Decanter and The Wine Society for refined flavours, fine bubbles, and elegant finishes—making them standout choices in English Sparkling Wine.


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Meet the Team

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Philip Addis

Philip has years of experience in selecting the right wines for customers having started his own wine company way back in 1983 which he sold in 2010 with sales of over £8.5 million a year. He then became a shareholder in a French vineyard but in recent years he has become increasingly excited by the challenge of bringing the rapidly improving quality and exceptional value of wines being made right here in the UK to a wider audience.

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Rob Phelps

Rob brings experience from the drinks industry and a sharp nose for quality. He’s visited dozens of vineyards and always has a great bottle recommendation up his sleeve. His passion for wine first started when he met Philip over 20 years ago.

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Katharina Frank

Katharina has decades of experience in the fine dining industry, having worked in senior positions within a range of Michelin starred restaurants such as The Fat Duck (3 star) in England and Focus restaurant (2 star) at the luxurious Park Hotel Vitznau in Switzerland.

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