Who would’ve thought the French would create a new fizz in England? Not us in a million years. Yet, here we are. Taittinger (A.K.A champagne royalty) has landed (quite literally) in the picturesque Kent countryside. Domaine Evremond isn’t just another vineyard. It’s the first English sparkling wine project by a Champagne house. Now, that’s something worth celebrating (with champagne perhaps).

Read on as we dive into how this Franco-British lovechild came to be, what this means for the world of bubbly, and why you’ll want to get your flutes ready for the first pour. Hint: the future of fine fizz might just be fabulously English.

Once upon a vine…

England’s role in the wine world was strictly “sip and smile”, so to speak. But now, not so much. It looks like we’re giving the French vineyards a run for their money. So, what changed? Well, ironically, climate change. Yep, you read right. You see, it gave our grapes a bit of a glow-up, making southern England warm enough to harness the ripeness that you’d get from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Throw in the same fancy soils found in Champagne and suddenly we’re not just talking about terroir, we’re tasting it, too.

Fast forward to now, and English sparkling is making a name for itself with an inaugural release from Domaine Evremond that’s drawing in sommeliers from Soho all the way to San Francisco. Even the likes of avid French enthusiasts are raising their brows. England, once the “punchline” in the wine world, now has the last laugh, and is popping bottles along with the best of them. Not bad for a country known more for hot brews than terroir.

Word Through The Grapevine: Domaine Evremond’s Classic Cuvee Edition I

Pop the cork and pass the flutes; history has just been bottled. The Domaine EVremond Classic Cuvee Edition I isn’t just another sparkling wine; it’s the first ever English fizz made by a bona fide Champagne House.

France’s legendary Champagne Taittinger has planted roots in Kent. This bubbly beauty is the brainchild of a long-standing friendship between Patrick McGrath and Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, brought to life over the last decade in the chalky hills of Chilham.

Domaine Evremond Brut Cuvée Edition I

£52

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The vineyard’s name? A cheeky tip of the hat to Charles de Saint-Évremond, the 17th-century Frenchman who first introduced Champagne to the Brits and who, fun fact, is the only Frenchman resting in Westminster Abbey’s Poets Corner.

The wine itself is a classic Champagne-style blend: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier, all lovingly grown on Domaine Evremond’s original plots. It’s a blend of the 2019 and 2020 vintages, masterfully crafted by Taittinger’s own Chef de Cave, Alexandre Ponnavoy, and aged for three years to give it that extra sparkle of sophistication.

This inaugural release of 100,000 bottles, affectionately dubbed “Edition I”, is now officially out in the wild. So, whether you’re a wine geek or just fancy a posh pop, now’s your chance to taste a truly fizzy first.

Cheers to that!

What’s all the fuss about the Domaine Evremond project, anyway?

Sure, it says “sparkling wine” on the label, but what you’re really getting is a glass of Champagne-level craftsmanship, just with a Kentish postcode. 

For starters, Domaine Evremond goes far beyond a vanity project. It’s the real deal (and a big one, at that), the product of Champagne Taittinger’s wine making dream team, including Chef de Cave Alexandre Ponnavoy. So, in Champagne speak, we’re talking serious sparkling credentials, here. 

As we mentioned the blend is that of classic Champagne grapes, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier sourced straight from the estate’s original wines that were planted all the way in 2017. Turns out, the chalky soil in Kent (very similar to Champagne’s own terroir, funnily enough) gives the grapes that fresh minerality and finesse wine lovers get all worked up about.

The first vintage – Edition I, is a unique blend of 2019 and 2020-base wines, aged on lees for three years to develop those lovely brioche-like notes and a dreamy creamy texture that’ll have you swirling your glass. Think lively citrus, green apple, elderflower and a hint of spring blossom that’s elegant, expressive loaded with inviting character. Sounds disarmingly drinkable, right? 

Another thing to point out: this is not mass-produced supermarket fizz. It’s small batch, painstakingly crafted, and a proper collaboration between two wine-loving nations. It’s an Entente cordiale, but with bubbles.

In short? It’s a wine with fancy French technique, English terroir and undeniably international charm. All geared up to gatecrash every celebration until the corks run dry.

A taste of what’s to come

If this first sip is anything to go by, Domaine Evremond is just getting warmed up. With the Classic Cuvée Edition I already taking the bubbly world by storm (and tempting corks), there’s every reason to believe this Anglo-French venture is on course to become a sparkling staple. Future vintages will no doubt continue to showcase the magic of Kent’s terroir through Champagne-honed craft. So yes, this may be the first, but it won’t be the last. Taittinger isn’t just dipping a toe in British bubbles, they’re diving in, headfirst, flute in hand.

Wrapping things up

So, as a whole, what have we got here? A historic fizz, a Franco-British friendship, and a bottle that’s rewriting the rules of sparkling wine, one celebratory pop at a time. Domaine Evremond’s Classic Cuvée isn’t just a first-of-its-kind; it’s a beautifully balanced combination of Champagne expertise and Kentish charm, bottled with elegance and a bit of daring.

Fancy getting your hands on a bottle (or three)? Consider our online store as your go-to, where your future favourite fizz is just a click away. Or, for the full experience, why not pop into our Knightsbridge store? Whether you’re a seasoned sipper or a curious cork-popper, our experienced staff will guide you through the bubbly brilliance with expert advice, impeccable taste, and just the right amount of sparkle.

Domaine Evremond is here, it’s historic, and it’s ready to toast with. We’ll toast to that!