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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/04/english-sparkling-wines-top-prizes

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In praise of ... English sparkling wines In praise of ... English sparkling wines
(14 days later)
There is a strong flush of natural justice in the current resurgence of English − and Welsh − sparkling wine. After all, it was an Englishman, Christopher Merret, in a paper delivered to the newly formed Royal Society in 1662, who first described the méthode champenoise of secondary fermentation long before the French cottoned on. In those days champagne was a still wine. Now UK sparkling wines − from Cornwall to Kent − are on a seemingly unstoppable roll, gathering top prizes in international blind tastings against the best of the rest, including champagnes. This week Gusborne announced plans to plant an extra 100 acres in Kent following Chapel Down's recent £4.4m expansion plans, not to mention Rathfinny's plans to produce a million bubbling bottles from its new 400 acre vineyard in Sussex. Worries about overproduction are rife, but since Britain produces barely 1% of the wine it consumes, there is all to play − and drink − for.There is a strong flush of natural justice in the current resurgence of English − and Welsh − sparkling wine. After all, it was an Englishman, Christopher Merret, in a paper delivered to the newly formed Royal Society in 1662, who first described the méthode champenoise of secondary fermentation long before the French cottoned on. In those days champagne was a still wine. Now UK sparkling wines − from Cornwall to Kent − are on a seemingly unstoppable roll, gathering top prizes in international blind tastings against the best of the rest, including champagnes. This week Gusborne announced plans to plant an extra 100 acres in Kent following Chapel Down's recent £4.4m expansion plans, not to mention Rathfinny's plans to produce a million bubbling bottles from its new 400 acre vineyard in Sussex. Worries about overproduction are rife, but since Britain produces barely 1% of the wine it consumes, there is all to play − and drink − for.
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