Ditch the ‘glass of bubbly’ euphemism and be proud to serve English sparkling wine, say etiquette experts

For years party hosts reluctant to stretch to the expense of offering their guests Champagne have disguised the cheaper alternatives on offer with sundry euphemisms, such as "fizz", "bubbles", or "bubbly".

But according to those in the know it’s time we abandoned our coyness and proudly proclaimed our fondness for Prosecco, English sparkling wine or even Cava.

In a sign of the growing reputation of alternative varieties of sparkling wines etiquette experts now advise that we abandon the illusion we are serving Champagne.

Indeed, they say, to pretend otherwise is itself now considered somewhat uncouth.

William Hanson, one of the UK’s leading etiquette consultants, said: “Champagne is Champagne, and when it’s not, calling it 'fizz' or 'bubbly' is not great. Any kind of euphemism is considered downmarket.

"If you're serving Prosecco it is better to say 'May I pour you some Prosecco'. There used to be a stigma around it but that's virtually gone now, and while it will never have the cache Champagne has, it is a perfectly acceptable drink."

Even with Cava, which carries the least social status of any sparkling wine, Mr Hanson recommends saying either "Cava" or "sparkling wine".

He added that the Spanish sparkling wine’s poor reputation was "a shame, as there are some very good Cavas out there".

When it comes to party or wedding invites where a cheaper alternative to Champagne is being served, Mr Hanson recommends simply writing "drinks will be served".

The advice comes as the UK’s thirst for Prosecco is expected to grow faster than anywhere else in the world over the next few years.

Total consumption of the Italian drink is expected to rise 10.8 per cent to nearly 74m litres a year by 2020, industry figures show.

Meanwhile the English sparkling wine industry is taking off, with the number of acres planted with grapevines in England and Wales expected to grow by 135 per cent.

Over the next 12 months UK wine producers will plant a record 1 million vines, increasing production by 2 million more bottles of wine annually.

Home-grown wines were once considered "a joke" but they are now held in high esteem and are accepted even by elite circles.

English sparkling is now offered to guests at Royal events and functions at no.10 Downing Street, instead of champagne or wine from more popular regions.

On what consumers should call their drinks, Miles Beale, chief executive at the Wine and Spirits Trade Association, said: "It doesn't really matter what you call it as long as you are enjoying it!"

He added: "Technically no sparkling wine made outside of Champagne should be called Champagne, and it's the same with Prosecco having to come from a specific production area in Italy - these names have protected designation of origin status, similar to Stilton cheese or Melton Mowbray pork pies.

"Other than that, whether you call it fizz, bubbly or sparkling, what matters more is finding out more about where your wine has come from, and who has made it. There are plenty of fantastic sparkling wines available, including many made in England, and worrying about what they are called shouldn't stop people from exploring and finding something new to enjoy."