By: Johnathan Rogers

There have been a few calls over the last year that English Sparkling wine should be allowed to use the term 'Champagne' because the quality is good enough. Sure, the quality is good enough and has been for several years now. Also we are now only allowed to use the three permitted grape varieties as they use in Champagne, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meurnie.

Some people argue the point that if we are only allowed to use the same grapes then we should be able to use the name. This argument I feel is moving away from the main point. It is to our benefit in a way that we are only allowed to use the same grapes as they do in Champagne, as it puts us on an equal footing with the Champagne producers. When our sparkling wines beat the Champagnes in tasting competitions, they have nothing to argue about.

But Champagne is called Champagne for the simple fact that it is produced there. If we start naming our sparkling wines 'Champagne' where will it end? Bordeaux wines are made primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, but there are plenty of wines from around the world also made from these grapes and using the same production methods. Wines from Australia, California, Chile, etc, could also be called 'Bordeaux'. The same can be said for Cotes du Rhone, Tourain Sauvignon and other areas.

My point is, is that English wines have an identity of their own. We should not be compared to the better known wines from other countries because we have our own styles. As we only have around 400 commercial vineyards in the UK and account for less than 1% of the worlds wine production, we are not big enough to start regionalising wine production. We don't have 'Hampshire Quality Wine' or Quality Wine from Sussex' as yet (although there are rumblings from Brussels that this could happen). We do not have regional differences in our wines although weather patterns do vary in different parts of the UK. All these aspects account for our own unique style of wine and this should be recognised more.

Two of Hampshire's Finest

Wickham Premiere Cuvee Brut 2006 Hampshire £25.99 or 3 for £50.00 Made from the Kerner grape variety and grown on chalky soil right here on our doorstep in the Meon Valley in Hampshire.

Made in the traditional way with a second fermentation taking place inside the bottle and then aged on its lees for approximately 4 years. Classic bubbly flavours of yeast and apples. Softer character with a fine mousse and an elegant finish.

Made by Frenchman Didier Pierson, this delicate bubbly is made from 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir, two of the main Champagne varieties. It has great finesse with hints of apricot and yeasty characters.