Region’s ideal for producing champers
SKEGNESS bubbly could be as good as Champagne, experts claimed last night.
Geologists say the chalk, responsible for growing the grapes used to make the luxury French drink, extends across the Channel.
English Wines Info tweeted a map showing hot spots where the finest grapes could be grown.
It reveals the chalk outcrop stretches from the French city of Reims – at the heart of the Champagne region – through Lincolnshire to Yorkshire.
However, any British tipples would have to be called “sparkling wine” as only vineyards in the Champagne region can use the moniker.
But TV wine expert Joe Fattorini said: “Ey up, not too long before we have the Côtes de Scarborough Sparkling and Côtes de Filey Fizz.”
Hambledon Vineyard, which produces sparkling wine in Waterlooville, Hants, suggested prospective grape-growers should start patenting UK bubbly names with the Intellec- tual Property Office. A spokesman said: “Cuvée Bridlington NV – as a born and bred Yorkshireman I can’t wait.
“White Rose Fizz – better contact the IPO toute suite.”
The Wine Society’s website says that the UK’s chalky soil is “more commonly associated with high quality wine”.
It adds: “It’s valued in viticulture because it is well drained but the pores in the subsoil rocks also have high water storage capacity, and because its porous, roots can easily penetrate down to this subsoil.”