Pierre White takes sparkle off ‘over-rated’ English fizz

CHEF Marco Pierre White has taken a pop at the English sparkling wine industry, saying only a “numpty” would buy it.

Pierre White, 55 – the youngest chef to be given three Michelin stars – also said English wine makers were “playing at it” and could never compete with the French in producing top fizz.

His remarks come as it was revealed that British politicians bought more home-grown wines that any other when entertaining VIPS and heads of state. Speaking at the opening of his Marco Pierre White Steakhouse, Bar and Grill in Plymouth on Friday, he called English wine a nonsense.

“They are over-priced and not very good. The French make the best wine. The English just play at it. We keeping hearing this about English sparkling wine. I am very happy for them,” he said. “But better than Krug? Than Bollinger? No! Then why buy it, unless you are a total numpty?

“I am being honest. Just because something is English does not necessarily mean it is good. We make the best Cheddar, we make great pasties. But we can’t make very good Brie or baguettes – and the French can’t make pork pies.”

Despite opening his new restaurant in the West Country, the 55-year-old said London was still the best place to eat. “London is the No 1 food destination, full stop. It has the talent and [the people who can pay] the prices.

“How many three-michelin-star restaurants does Cornwall have? None.

“I have not eaten his [Cornish Michelin-starred chef Nathan Outlaw’s] food but I have read his books and seen his recipes and I can see he cooks very well. Whether he is the best in Britain is another question.”

White also admitted he didn’t always buy local produce.

He went on: “We get our fish, crabs and lobsters from Cornwall because they are excellent. Buy locally where possible, but if you can’t get the very best locally, don’t buy locally.”