Chapel Down, England’s leading winemaker, has teamed up with French TV presenter and wine connoisseur Fred Sirieix to challenge American perceptions of English wine — and the results might surprise you.
With a bold mission to “change the way the world thinks about English sparkling wine,” Chapel Down took its award-winning bottles to New York City, the heart of America’s dining and drinks scene — and also the world’s largest Champagne export market.
English Sparkling Wine vs Champagne: The Ultimate Taste Test
Hosted by Fred Sirieix at Elsie Rooftop, one of Manhattan’s most stylish sky-high bars, guests were invited to a blind tasting featuring two “mystery cuvées.” One was a popular French Champagne, the other a Chapel Down English sparkling wine.
When asked which they preferred, a remarkable 67% of tasters chose Chapel Down — describing it as “crisp and refreshing,” “more delicate,” and “a real surprise.” Many were stunned to learn that their favourite glass wasn’t French at all, but proudly English.
Fred Sirieix: “The World Is Ready for English Sparkling Wine”
“As a proud Frenchman, I love Champagne — it’s in my DNA,” Fred said. “But I’ve been a fan of Chapel Down for decades. I couldn’t resist putting American tastebuds to the test. To see so many choose English sparkling wine over Champagne proves how far England has come, and shows the world is ready for it.”
Chapel Down: Leading a New Wave of English Winemaking
Liam Newton, Chapel Down’s Chief Marketing Officer, added: “The United States is the largest export market for Champagne, so where better to showcase the quality of English sparkling wine? It’s so exciting to see England develop as a wine region and to prove that our wines stand up against the very best in the world.”
This New York stunt marks another milestone in Chapel Down’s international journey — highlighting the global rise of English sparkling wine and positioning Chapel Down as one of the boldest and most innovative brands in the category.
Chapel Down’s award-winning sparkling wines are now available in leading international markets including the United States, UAE, Norway, Germany and Canada, as well as across the UK.
