Certain places in the world are known for growing grapes that make beautiful wine, and nearly 100% of them are located between the latitudes of 30 and 50 degrees. These slivers of grape-growing perfection sport ideal growing conditions — the right amount of sunshine, diurnal shifts, temperatures, etc. Much of the world’s best and best-known wines hail from these latitudes, which include California, France, and Italy in the north and Chile, South Africa and Australia in the south. When coupled with ideal geographic conditions such as hills or coastal influences, the seasonal patterns within the two “wine belts” consistently produce exceptional grapes. It’s just that simple. Outside of these areas and growers will struggle with conditions too extreme to reliably produce grapes with the characteristics needed for quality wine. Nobody’s making good wine at the equator.

But there is a country that’s been surprising us lately with its wine — a country that sits at 52 degrees north and yet turns out some of the prettiest, tastiest sparkling wine outside of France — England.

English Wine?

Raise your hand if you’ve ever heard of English wine. 

Yeah, until recently, me neither.

The Brits aren’t much known for particularly indulgent, tasty things — leave that to the French — so to learn that they are producing high quality sparkling wine in the traditional Champagne method may come as a surprise. But English bubbles have earned the notice of sommeliers and wine lovers all over; many say it’s the next big sparkling wine region to watch. Why is this area of the world, up until now considered too far north to produce consistently good wine grapes, doing just that?

Two words: global warming. As global temperatures rise, farmers are being forced to adapt their crops for new, hotter climates, and wine growers are no exception. Vineyards that once stayed just sunny but cool enough to grow exceptional sparkling wine grapes now struggle with growing conditions too warm. Think of it like Goldilocks: grape varieties, like the storybook heroine, have their preferred conditions that aren’t too hot nor too cold, but just right. Global warming is changing where that “just right” sits.

Here’s an interesting article about global warming and the wine industry from USA Today last year.

But what could spell trouble in the French region of Champagne is opening brand new doors just 250 miles away in the UK. Especially in areas such as Kent with chalky soil and plenty of south-facing slopes, the grapes traditionally used in sparkling wine are now flourishing, with temperatures finally consistently warm enough to ensure they grow in ideal conditions.

On a family trip to London not too long ago, we took a side trip to Gusborne winery, which produces one of our favorite English sparkling wines. Located in Appledore, their vineyards and tasting room have a quintessentially English feel. A lovely spot nestled in the Kent countryside, the staff were welcoming and friendly, walking us through the vineyards and pouring all kinds of delicious things into our glasses. They regularly produce a blanc de blancs, rosé and a brut reserve, any of which I’d happily pour the next time I want bubbles.

So as much as I hate to celebrate the changes brought about by global warming, I have to say I’m happy Gusborne is doing what they’re doing. This is a producer we can heartily recommend if you’re ready to try the English version of Champagne, but with more than 100 wineries now creating wine in England, there are plenty to choose from! Let us know if you find a favorite. Cheers, mate!