Image
Best pairings for sparkling wine
Image
Best pairings for sparkling wine

UK VINEYARDS AND CULINARY HARMONY

Best pairings for sparkling wine

A brief history of winemaking in Britain 

 

Viticulture in the United Kingdom dates back to Roman times, with early plantings in Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire. The Domesday Book documents Norman-era vineyards, notably in Kent and Essex. After a long period under ecclesiastical stewardship, winemaking underwent a modern revival in the 1960s and 1970s. 

Pioneering estates, such as Nyetimber in West Sussex, began cultivating Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier—the classic Champagne varieties. Nyetimber produced its first traditional method sparkling wine in 1997 and quickly earned acclaim in international competitions, igniting a new wave of viticulture.

Image
White grapes

About British vineyards in numbers

The UK’s wine industry has experienced significant expansion:

  • Currently there are more than 1,030 registered vineyards across England and Wales, marking a 9 % increase since 2022.
  • There are 4,209 hectares under vine, with a doubling of vineyard area over the past decade.
  • In 2023, production reached approximately 162,000 hectolitres, or 21.6 million bottles — a 77 % rise year‑on‑year.
  • Sparkling wines dominate at 76 % of output, while still wines comprise the remainder, split between whites, rosé and reds.
  • Leading varieties include Chardonnay (32 %), Pinot Noir (27 %), Pinot Meunier (9 %) and Bacchus (8 %), with a growing presence of hybrids like Solaris and Regent.

Regional Excellence

 

Sussex leads the nation with 888 hectares of vineyards spread across 138 estates, representing 28% of national production. This chalky terrain, meriting PDO status since 2022, lends itself superbly to sparkling wine. Other notable regions include Kent (home to Chapel Down and Gusbourne) and Hampshire (host to the historic Hambledon Vineyard).

 

Enhancing the enjoyment of British wines

Here are some pairing recipes:

✦ Traditional method sparkling wines

An English traditional‑method sparkling wine thrives with vibrant, flavour‑forward nibbles. These wines pair exquisitely with:

Image
Special occasions
Image
White still wines

✦ White still wines (Bacchus, hybrid varieties)

Fresh, aromatic whites such as Bacchus and Solaris shine alongside comforting dishes:

✦ Rosé and Rosé sparkling

Pale rosé or rosé sparkling wines are perfect with lightly spiced or herb-accented dishes, such as:

Image
Rose wines
Image
British vineyard

✦ Red still wines (Pinot Noir)

Elegant Pinot Noir-based reds pair beautifully with richer, savoury fare:

 

Read more tasty stories on our food blog

Keep up to date with our latest news, events, recipes, and new seasonal menus.

Back to the Blog homepage View our sample menus

To book a table, simply find your preferred restaurant and book your table online.

 Choose a restaurant to book