English Sparkling Wine Outscores Champagne in New York Blind Tasting With 67% Favoring Chapel Down

On October 24, Chapel Down, a leading English sparkling wine producer from Kent, brought its campaign to promote English sparkling wine to New York City. The event coincided with World Champagne Day and took place at Elsie, a well-known rooftop bar in Manhattan. Chapel Down partnered with French television presenter and wine enthusiast Fred Sirieix to host a blind tasting that challenged American perceptions of sparkling wine.

Guests at the event were served two glasses of sparkling wine without knowing their origins. One glass contained Champagne from a major French brand, while the other featured Chapel Down’s English sparkling wine. After tasting both, participants were asked to choose their preferred wine. The results showed that 67 percent of those present favored the English sparkling wine over the Champagne. Many described the Chapel Down wine as “crisp and refreshing,” “more delicate,” and “a real surprise.” Several attendees expressed surprise when they learned that their preferred glass was not French but English.

Fred Sirieix, who is known for his work on French television and his passion for wine, commented on the outcome. He said that although he is a proud Frenchman with a deep appreciation for Champagne, he has been a fan of Chapel Down for many years. Sirieix said he was eager to see how American palates would respond in a direct comparison. He noted that the results demonstrate how much progress English sparkling wine has made and suggested that global consumers are ready to embrace it.

Liam Newton, chief marketing officer at Chapel Down, explained why New York was chosen for this event. He pointed out that the United States is the largest export market for Champagne in the world, making it an ideal location to showcase English sparkling wine’s quality. Newton said he is excited by England’s development as a wine region and believes events like this prove that English wines can compete with some of the best in the world.

The New York tasting is part of a broader effort by Chapel Down to raise the profile of English sparkling wine internationally. Similar blind tastings have been held in France in 2023 and London in 2024. Chapel Down’s wines are now available in several international markets, including the United States, United Arab Emirates, Norway, Germany, and Canada. This growing presence reflects increasing recognition of English sparkling wine on the global stage.

The event in New York highlights changing attitudes toward English sparkling wine among American consumers and industry professionals. As more people discover its quality through blind tastings and international campaigns, producers like Chapel Down hope to further expand their reach and challenge traditional preferences for Champagne.