sPARKLING
Traditional method
The world-class sparkling wines that built our reputation. Complex, elegant and distinctively fresh. Cool climate wines that come alive in the glass.
From the 1990s, the quality of our traditional method sparkling wines has propelled them onto the world stage. Today, over 90% of all sparkling wine made in the UK is crafted using the traditional method.
Primarily produced using the three Champagne varieties – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier – our cool climate and extended growing season create beautifully balanced sparkling wines with notable freshness and complexity. These wines are not only the perfect aperitif but are also gastronomic in nature, offering versatility and elegance when paired with food.
Unlike many other regions, English and Welsh sparkling wine also embraces innovation, with grapes like Bacchus, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Ortega, and Seyval Blanc contributing to our distinctive styles.
As stocks of reserve wines have grown, so too has the diversity of our sparkling wines – evident in the rise of non-vintage and multi-vintage cuvées, and the emergence of unique house styles. Yet vintage expressions remain a hallmark of English and Welsh wine allowing drinkers to experience the nuances of each growing season in our cool, variable climate. This is what makes the UK one of the most exciting places to make wine.
With time comes confidence. Backed by hundreds of international awards each year captured in our Golden 50 Wine List and an impressive average critics’ score of 90.6, our traditional method sparkling wines continue to gain worldwide acclaim.
sparkling wines
Sparkling wines that let the fruit do the talking including Pet Nats, Col Fondos and Charmat.
Innovative, appealing, and endlessly enjoyable – these sparkling wines represent the creative spirit at the heart of modern UK wines.
As a relatively young region in the world of wine, our wine producers embrace experimentation. This has given rise to a growing movement beyond the traditional method, exploring Charmat, carbonated, Pét-Nat, and Col Fondo styles that highlight freshness, approachability, and expressive fruit.
Charmat, also known as tank method, represents nearly 10% of the market and it is growing. The wines have really started to make their mark. Prioritising primary fruit flavours over lees-aged complexity, Charmat wines offer immediate drinkability and excellent value without compromising the hallmark purity of English and Welsh wine.
This innovation doesn’t stop with Charmat. More producers are now releasing Pét-Nat (pétillant naturel), Col Fondo, and lightly carbonated sparkling wines, often finished with a crown cap or available in cans and kegs. These formats appeal to contemporary tastes and diverse settings, from natural wine bars to the rapidly growing RTD (ready-to-drink) market.
While still using traditional varieties Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, these wines often include other grapes that have long thrived in English and Welsh vineyards, bringing new life to heritage plantings and adding layers of intrigue.
These fresh styles of sparkling wine don’t just showcase technical creativity, they reflect a broader cultural shift towards diversity, sustainability, and accessibility in wine.
