January is the moment when we rethink routines, refresh perspectives, and stay more curious. And when it comes to wine, curiosity is well satisfied. New year, new habits, or at least new bottles: one of the most interesting shifts of the last decade is happening in England.

Let’s start with the undeniable truth: climate change is the reason this conversation exists.

Southern England today enjoys growing conditions remarkably similar to Champagne several decades ago. Long, cool growing seasons, chalk and limestone soils, and grapes that reach full ripeness while keeping naturally high acidity: the holy trinity for world-class wines made by the traditional method.

This isn’t a trend, yet a structural change.

The name matters: calling these wines simply “sparkling wines” is becoming misleading.

The term puts everything in the same basket (for example, with prosecco), yet what’s happening in England today has nothing to do with casual bubbles. These are terroir-driven, age-worthy wines, made with the same seriousness, discipline, and ambition as top Champagne. They deserve a clearer identity, a stronger appellation, and a language that reflects what’s actually in the glass.

Gusbourne: A Reference Point for Modern England

Founded in 2004 in Kent, Gusbourne was one of the early believers in England’s potential for fine wine. From the start, the philosophy was clear: estate vineyards planted on chalk and limestone soils, classic Champagne grape varieties, and long ageing on lees to build texture, precision, and depth.

All Gusbourne wines are made using the traditional method, with meticulous vineyard work and a strong focus on balance rather than power. Over time, this consistency has made Gusbourne a benchmark producer, in short it is the reference point when people want to understand what top-level English wine really tastes like.

The style is bright, mineral, and refined, with citrus and orchard fruit, a fine mousse, and a clean, focused finish. Nothing feels exaggerated. Everything feels intentional.

If I had to offer one Champagne comparison to help place Gusbourne stylistically, I would choose Pierre Peters.

Both share a love for purity, tension, and chalk-driven freshness. Both favour elegance over weight, precision over showmanship. The difference is not quality, but accent: Champagne brings history and layering; Gusbourne brings clarity and a slightly more accessible pricing.

This isn’t about England trying to become Champagne, yet about England finding its own voice.

I can see that very soon we won’t talk about English sparkling wine as a category anymore. We’ll talk about producers, vineyards, and styles - exactly as we do in Champagne.

And that’s why naming, appellations, and education matter. Because these wines are not alternatives. They are choices.

Know Your Drinks

Knowing your drinks doesn’t mean abandoning what you love (Champagne is still Champagne, needless to say). It means staying curious, questioning labels, and being open to what’s happening just beyond your comfort zone.

If you already enjoy fine Champagne, discovering a producer like Gusbourne isn’t a revolution: it’s simply your palate evolving and opening. And honestly, trying something new that’s genuinely well made is one of the most satisfying habits you can start this year.

By Vittoria Dell’Anna