The Guardian reports that English wines won 25 gold medals at the 2026 International Wine Challenge, up from 10 last year, with England achieving the highest gold-medal percentage by entries and Kent leading the domestic regions. Judges pointed to older vines, longer maturation, improved vineyard knowledge and more confident winemaking as key reasons for England’s rise, while supermarket bottles from Aldi, Tesco, Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury’s also featured among the gold-medal winners.
England
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Graham Beck Launches Its First English Sparkling Wine
Decanter reports that South African Cap Classique producer Graham Beck has released its first traditional-method English sparkling wine, the limited Graham Beck Artisan Collection English Sparkling 2018. The wine is made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grown in Hampshire and West Sussex, will be released in the UK this summer at £45 RRP, and marks a final collaboration involving former cellar master Pieter Ferreira before his retirement.
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Chapel Down Sells One Million Bottles Of English Sparkling Wine
The Times reports that Chapel Down sold more than one million bottles of English sparkling wine in 2025, a milestone for the UK’s largest winemaker as it targets 1% of the global Champagne market by 2035. Revenue rose 19% to £19.4 million, helped by supermarket growth, international sales and partnerships including Ascot and the England and Wales Cricket Board.
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Ridgeview Acquired by Quantum Beverage Led Consortium
Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News reports that Ridgeview Wine Estate has been acquired by QBRidge Ltd, an investor consortium led by Quantum Beverage Co, with Gregg Ainsworth appointed CEO and Allan Beattie becoming CFO, while long time CEO Tamara Roberts steps down and head winemaker Simon Roberts stays on. Insider Media and FRP Advisory add that the Sussex producer, founded in 1995 and based in Ditchling, was sold out of administration after financial pressures, the sale completed on 11 February, all staff transferred, and the new owners have promised business as usual for customers and suppliers.
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Croxsons Unveils Sovereign, A British Made Sparkling Wine Bottle
Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News reports that Croxsons has launched “Sovereign”, a new sparkling wine bottle designed for English and Welsh producers, aiming to cut transport miles by replacing bottles typically sourced from factories in France, Germany and Italy. The bottle uses amber glass rather than the traditional green, is made with 77% recycled glass and weighs 835g, with Ridgeview Wine among the producers cited as welcoming a domestically manufactured packaging option that supports provenance and sustainability.
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UK Alcohol Duty Rise Triggers Fresh Wine Price Warnings
Sky News reports that a 3.66% alcohol duty increase due to take effect on Sunday 1 February is prompting industry warnings of knock-on price rises, including for wine, as producers and retailers pass costs through. The report highlights that while duty is paid by manufacturers, the sector expects a “trickle down” impact at the till, and it points to cumulative increases on wine duty over recent years as pressure builds. The duty rise was confirmed in the autumn budget by Rachel Reeves, with the article emphasising the change applies across beer, wine, and spirits.
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Chapel Down Lifts Outlook After Strong Christmas Trading
Investegate reports that Chapel Down expects FY2025 net sales revenue of about £19.4m, up 19%, with adjusted EBITDA forecast at £4.0m to £4.5m, ahead of prior guidance, helped by strong festive trading and an above-average harvest yield. It also says the company dispatched over one million bottles of traditional method sparkling wine for the first time, and ended the year with net debt of about £12.4m, reflecting investment in vines and maturing stock.