English sparkling takes on Champagne in New York
On World Champagne Day, Chapel Down and French TV star Fred Sirieix put American palates to the test in a blind tasting between English sparkling wine and Champagne – and two-thirds of participants preferred the English fizz.
To mark World Champagne Day on 24 October, Chapel Down took its mission to “change the way the world thinks about English sparkling wine” to New York — the world’s largest export market for Champagne.
Partnering with French television presenter and wine enthusiast Fred Sirieix, the Kent-based producer hosted a blind tasting at Elsie, one of the city’s top rooftop bars. Guests were invited to compare two unnamed sparkling wines — one from a leading Champagne brand and the other from Chapel Down.
When asked which they preferred, 67% of participants chose Chapel Down, describing it as “crisp and refreshing”, “more delicate” and “a real surprise”. Many expressed disbelief on discovering that their favourite glass was English rather than French.
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“The world is ready for English wine”
“As a proud Frenchman, I love Champagne — it’s in my DNA,” said Sirieix. “But I’ve been a fan of Chapel Down for decades. I couldn’t resist putting American tastebuds to the test. To see so many choose English sparkling wine over Champagne proves how far England has come, and shows the world is ready for it.”
Chapel Down’s chief marketing officer Liam Newton added: “The United States is the largest export market for Champagne, so where better to showcase the quality of English sparkling wine? It’s so exciting to see England develop as a wine region and to prove that our wines stand up against the very best in the world.”
A growing international presence
The New York tasting follows similar campaigns in France in 2023 and London in 2024, as the producer continues to position English sparkling wine on the global stage.
Chapel Down’s wines are now sold in markets including the United States, UAE, Norway, Germany and Canada, underscoring the growing international recognition of English fizz.
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