It has been mooted for years, ever since the quality of English bubbly rose to drinkable heights, that Champagne producers would wander over the Channel. The Telegraph has now revealed that Didier Pierson has become the first French producer to plant a vineyard in England.
Telegraph.co.uk "They wanted to expand their operation but suitable land in Champagne is at a premium. Knowing that the same chalky soil could be found on the South Downs, they started looking in Hampshire.Mr Pierson said that, although he had heard of bigger Champagne producers making inquiries about establishing vineyards in England, he believed that they were the first to turn their ideas into reality. "It is an exciting project," he said. "We both see it as a great adventure. There is no way of telling yet where it will lead but we will put everything we have into making a success of it."
Comment:
However, the Champenois' fierce protection of their trademark name will entail that it is probably illegal to use the words "English" and "Champagne" in the same sentence, and we shall probably have to refer to it as "non-French basic fermented grape juice with bubbles and other additives"!!!
For more on French Wine see www.frenchduck.co.uk
Keywords: France,Champagne,UK,Wine
The news story was previously posted in www.spittoon.biz
