An English « Champagne » in 2012 ?

Of course, it will not have the very exclusive Champagne appellation!

But, the Meonhill will be the first English sparkling wine made by a French champagne maker. He’s name is Didier Pierson and he owns Maison Pierson-Whitaker in Champagne, France.

The Meonhill is elaborated from grapes that come from French rootstocks planted in Hampshire, a county in the south east of England. Didier Pierson is the first French Champagne producer to invest in vineyards in Hampshire but he certainly won’t be the last.

Indeed, places like Kent, Sussex and Hampshire have very similar climates and chalky geology as the North of France. Moreover, the consumption of English sparkling wines has exploded in the United Kingdom, the growing of the three grape varieties used to make traditional champagne-style sparkling wine – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier – has more than quadrupled since 2005 according to the Food Standards Agency and more than half of the British vineyards is dedicated to the production of sparkling wines!

The Meonhill should be sold in the beginning of 2012.

The Sparkling News Team wishes you a Happy, Sparkling and Bubbly New Year!