Every year, the English Wine world gets bigger and more sophisticated. But, as the industry expands, will it change? Luma Monteiro investigates

The English wine industry is absolutely booming, and the 2024 vintage is shaping up to be a landmark year. Wine GB recently reported over 1,000 registered vineyards and 220 wineries, signalling just how much the sector is expanding. With more than 4,200ha of vineyards now planted across the UK, the area has more than doubled in the past decade.

Unsurprisingly, Kent and Sussex remain the core regions behind this growth. Kent alone makes up 26% of the UK’s total vineyard area, with both West Sussex and East Sussex following closely behind. But beyond the familiar landscapes of the Home Counties, there’s an exciting shift happening. From Dorset to Norfolk and Bedfordshire, new producers are emerging, determined carve out their own identities – and maybe even a new geography for English sparkling wine.

DORSET: THE WESTERN EDGE WITH BELEMNITIC CHALK
Langham Wine Estate in Dorset is making waves in the west of England. Calum Chance, head of sales & marketing, describes “a 34ha single estate producer of low intervention, traditional method sparkling wines”. The winery takes a grower Champagne approach – minimal intervention and natural winemaking. “We press oxidatively, let fermentation happen on its own, and use a lot of used French oak,” he explains.

Langham’s vineyard sits on some of the best belemnitic chalk in the UK, similar to Champagne’s Côte des Blancs. Its cooler, wetter climate extends the growing season, allowing grapes to reach ideal phenolic ripeness. “We believe in working together with other producers to grow the identity of English sparkling wine as a whole,” Chance adds. “But of course, west is best.”

HAMPSHIRE: MARITIME ELEGANCE AND CHALKY PRECISION
Hampshire’s Hambledon Vineyard shares several similarities with Champagne, particularly its chalky soils, but it’s also shaped by a distinctly maritime climate thanks to its proximity to the sea near Portsmouth. The team at Hambledon says: “Our wines are all about the chalky terroir, with that signature tension and minerality — especially great for Chardonnay.” This coastal influence plays a key role in preserving the freshness and elegance in Hambledon’s wines.

The sea breeze keeps the wines fresh and elegant, while climate change has brought more aromatic expression and balance. “Sure, the acidity stays high, but that’s an asset, not a challenge,” the team notes. Hambledon is also investing heavily in visitor experiences, signalling a wave of regional pride and wine tourism.

EAST ANGLIA: THE QUIET SPARK(LE)
East Anglia may have flown under the radar, but it’s quickly becoming a strong contender in English fizz. Winbirri in Norfolk is a standout, with sandy loam soils and great drainage that enhance acidity and flavour complexity. Other producers, like Burn Valley and Chet Valley, are also gaining recognition. “We share a chalk base with Sussex and Kent, but we also get flint and coastal influence,” says Mathew Abbey, winemaker at Burn Valley.

BEDFORDSHIRE AND OXFORDSHIRE: EMERGING VOICES
Inland regions are rising too. Andrew Barnes, owner of Hungerhill Vineyard in Bedfordshire, highlights the clay, flint and chalk soils, which produce balanced fruit and bright acidity. In Oxfordshire, Hundred Hills benefits from a warm chalk valley microclimate that’s proving ideal for consistent ripening and frost protection.

A FUTURE OF ONE VOICE – OR MANY?
A common theme among producers is how regional identities should develop. Should English sparkling wine be defined by distinct regions like Champagne’s Montagne de Reims or Côte des Blancs? Or should it stay united as English sparkling wine?

For some, like Langham’s Chance, the focus should be on building English sparkling wine as a premium, collective identity. Others, like Hambledon and Winbirri, believe regional identities will naturally form as the industry grows and PDOs become more prominent. Regardless, what’s clear is that the quality, diversity and ambition across these regions are shaping a new chapter for English fizz – one that’s rooted in place, driven by people and ready for the world stage.

Image credit: Milly Fletcher