French salut our bubbly

David and Pauline Grey, who own Meopham Valley Vineyard, Wrotham Road, Meopham, have grown the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, used to make Champagne, for the past 13 years.

And now, thanks to global warming, their French counterparts are keen to produce their bubbly over here.

Increasing temperatures in the French champagne-producing Epernay region are causing grapes to become overripe and too sweet, sparking fears the famous region may no longer be the best place for growing the grapes.

Mr Grey said: "In a cooler climate you don't get the level of sweetness but a good degree of acidity, which is what you want in Champagne. This is why the French are now looking to us."

And with land in the North and South Downs costing a fraction of the price of the Champagne region, three Champagne houses have approached English Wines Group, Tenterden, for options on buying land or joining Kent's sparkling wine production.

Mr Grey, 58, said: "People are very nervous about buying English sparkling wine but we know we are starting to get interest.

"I think the key to this is we are growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir which we planted some 13 years ago. Our sparkling wine is made by using the Champagne method. And the North and South Downs have the same limestone terrain as Champagne country.

"Originally people wrote sparkling wine off but now they realise what is in the bottle is the equivalent to Champagne."

After discovering Meopham Valley Vineyard's sparkling wine at a farmers' market, goats' cheesemakers Lyn and Jenny Jenner are prepared to change their Bollinger-drinking habits.

Mr Jenner said: "I tend to shy away from English wines but I thought it was absolutely beautiful. It's the best English sparkling wine I've ever tasted.

"Who wants to pay between £30 and £60? We only drink Bollinger when we see very dear friends and have one bottle for lunch and one for dinner. We will certainly be having the sparkling wine for lunch."