English sparkling wine to cheer British Airways business class

Its growers and admirers have long maintained the sky’s the limit for the blossoming fortunes of English wine. Now their confidence in the country’s viniculture really has found fruit.

British Airways is to serve English sparkling wines to its business cabin passengers for the first time, offering it alongside traditional champagne.

The move is being hailed as a “blue chip” moment for native wines, elevating their status alongside internationally recognised products.

BA’s master of wine, Tim Jackson, has selected four English sparkling wine options which from Sunday will be offered to Club World passengers on a rotational basis, changing every three months.

The wines will be offered alongside Heidsieck & Co Monopole Silver Top Non-Vintage Champagne.

Sajida Ismail, British Airways’ director of onboard experience, said: “We know English sparkling wines have attracted international acclaim over the years and are only growing in popularity, so we’re really excited to offer them in our Club World cabin.

“We’re really proud to work with four of the very best wine producers across England to celebrate British provenance.”

The first English sparkling wine to be served will be Digby Fine English Brut NV, which has more than three years’ maturation, lending it “great complexity and finesse”.

It is said to pair well with delicate dishes on the airline’s Club World menu, such as the grilled cod with sweet potato mousseline, mozzarella mezzaluna or an after-dinner selection of cheeses.

Stamp of approval

Also being offered as part of the rotation over the coming months will be Simpsons Chalklands Cuvee Brut NV, from Kent; Wiston Estate Brut NV from the South Downs; and Balfour Rosé de Noirs, grown on the Balfour Hush Heath Estate in Kent and made only from red grapes. British Airways already serves Hattingley Valley in First Class.

Charles Simpson, the founder of Simpsons English Wine Estate, near Canterbury, said the airline’s decision was a stamp of approval for the English wine industry.

“We are delighted that British Airways, our national flag carrier, has decided to add English sparkling wine to their Club World wine list for the first time,” he said. “It is extremely exciting to know that international travellers from around the world will now have the choice to enjoy a glass when travelling in business.

“This recognition is a wonderful endorsement for the UK wine industry, proving that England now makes some of the best in the world.”

4,000 hectares under vine in Britain

Industry figures show that sales of English wines have increased by nearly 70 per cent over the past two years and the number of vines planted each year has averaged more than 1.6 million.

There are nearly 4,000 hectares under vine in Britain, up by more than 70 per cent in the past five years.

Simon Thorpe MW, CEO of the industry body WineGB, said: “British Airways really are flying the flag for wines from Britain. This is great news and a very positive step in English sparkling wine becoming a readily available choice for more passengers to enjoy in-flight. It brings fantastic exposure both for the wines themselves and for the category as a whole.’

The move by BA follows the decision by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in 2022 to approve the registration of "Sussex" as a Protected Designation of Origin for wine, similar to the French Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée and Italian Denominazione di Origine Controllata.

The decision was criticised by rival viticulteurs from neighbouring Kent as a marketing exercise which says little about the geographical features which produce a particular tasting wine.