Sparkling English wines are at last being taken seriously, with demand predicted to outstrip supply six times over in the run up to Christmas.

Their reputation has soared both at home and abroad, raising the spectre of empty shelves, said English Wine Producers, a marketing association.

“Both the Chinese and Japanese can’t get enough of it. Our wines are also selling well in Scandinavia and the U.S,” said spokeswoman Julia Eve.

Chapel Down, the country’s largest producer, said it had already turned away business. For the past two years, Britons have bought twice as much sparkling wine as champagne, said retail analyst Mintel. Waitrose has seen demand for our grapes nearly double in the past year and has become the first British retailer to plant its own vines on its 1,600-hectare (4,000 acre) farm.

“Existing producers are extending vineyards dramatically and numerous new vineyards are being planted,” said its master of wine, Dee Blackstock.

By 2015, 3.7 million bottles of domestic sparkling wine will be sold, accounting for two-thirds of all English sales, up from less than half now, said the association.

Jo Steele, Metro, 3 November 2008

From Frazer Thompson, the English Wine Group CEO, we learned about the newly opened restaurant Richard Phillips @ Chapel Down.

Click on the photo to see more pics from the opening of the Restaurant.

In case the name doesn’t ring a bell, Mr Phillips is a celebrity chef known from TV’s Ready Steady Cook and Daily Cooks. He also runs the successful restaurants Thackeray’s in Tunbridge Wells and The Hengist at Aylesford. At Chapel Down, the idea is to team up one of England’s top chefs with one of Englands top wine producers which should make for an interesting dining exprience.

We hope to be able to come back with a review later. In the mean time you can visit the restaurant’s web site here. If you want to make a booking, call 01580 761616 or email reservations@chapeldownrestaurant.co.uk.

Thanks to Master of Wine Stephen Skelton for letting us know that the UK Vineyards Guide 2008 is now available. It contains:

• History of viticulture in the British Isles from pre-Roman times up to the modern day
• Viticulture and vinification techniques
• Vine varieties
• A guide to vineyards in the UK, the Channel Isles and Republic of Ireland

The book is available to buy from www.englishwine.com where you also can find more information about Stephen Skelton, his work and his books.