English Sparkling Wine Tasting with Henners

England’s Sussex Downs provide an ideal terroir for the production of high-quality sparkling wine. The region shares the same chalk soil make up as Champagne in France and benefits from a cool climate and long growing season. These conditions contribute to the production of wines with great freshness, balance, and purity of fruit.

The English wine industry has experienced significant growth in recent years and is now the fastest-growing agricultural sector in the UK. Over two thirds of vineyards planted are with the classic Champagne grape varieties, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, and 70% of the country’s total wine production is sparkling.

We have championed English wine for many years here at Cellar Door Wines, Henners being one of our long standing favourite wineries. We've invited Master Sommelier and Henners Brand Ambassador, Nigel Wilkinson to present 5 styles of sparkling wines to celebrate Spring and St George's Day 2026.

Nigel passed the WSET Diploma in 1996, he became a Master Sommelier in 2005 and now teaches and examines for both the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and the Court of Master Sommeliers. Before entering the wine trade, he was named ‘UK Young Wine Server of the Year’ and was also twice runner-up in the ‘UK Sommelier of the Year Competition’. Nigel is a regular judge at the UK Sommelier of the Year competition, the Chaine des Rotisseurs Junior Sommelier Competition, the Decanter World Wine Awards, the International Wine & Spirit Challenge and TEXSOM

We will be tasting 5 traditional method sparkling wines:

Henners Rose NV

Henners Brut Brut NV

Henners Blanc de Blanc 2018

Henners Blanc de Noirs 2020

Henners 2018 Vintage

Your ticket includes generous sharing cheese boards with selected fine English cheese from The Fleetville Larder in St Albans. Please contact the shop directly with any dietary requirements or allergies. 01727 854488.