Natural English Sparkling Wine Beats Champagne at International Wine Challenge

NYE Timber

In a historic first, an English sparkling wine has been crowned Champion Sparkling Wine at the prestigious International Wine Challenge (IWC) — a title long dominated by Champagne.

The winning bottle was the Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs 2016 Magnum, produced in West Sussex by Nyetimber, one of England’s pioneering sparkling wine estates. Crafted entirely from 100% Chardonnay grapes, the magnum format helped deliver a wine judges described as “racy, pithy… with mouth-watering acidity, citrus zest and camomile, finishing on a chalky note.”

This marks the first time in the IWC’s history that a non-Champagne wine has won the Champion Sparkling Wine trophy, underscoring England’s growing reputation as a world-class producer of sparkling wines. Alongside this landmark victory, the Blanc de Blancs also secured the English Sparkling Trophy, further cementing Nyetimber’s reputation as a leader in the industry.

Commitment to Sustainability

Nyetimber’s win reflects not only exceptional winemaking but also a deep respect for the land:

“Nyetimber should never come at the expense of the land that we cultivate, which is why we’re committed to a sustainable and holistic approach to our land, resources and the carbon footprint involved in producing our outstanding English sparkling wines.”

The estate’s vineyards in Sussex, Hampshire and Kent are carefully managed with minimal intervention. Fertilisers, pesticides or herbicides are only used when absolutely necessary, and only after natural methods have been tried. Weather stations and analysis software model disease risk to limit spray applications, while insect traps track vineyard pests, reducing pesticide use. Each year, plant tissues and soil are analysed so fertiliser is applied only where vine health requires it.

Around 30% of the Nyetimber estate is maintained as natural, non-productive land — including hedgerows, woodlands, meadows, ponds and gardens — creating wildlife corridors that support biodiversity. Native broadleaved woodlands are replanted, while wildflower meadows provide habitats for birds and insects.

Since 2011, sheep from local farms have grazed the grass in certain vineyards over winter, enriching the soil naturally and reducing the need for tractors, which helps cut emissions and prevent soil compaction. To protect the fruit, gentle wildlife-friendly methods such as sonar, kites and bangers are preferred over more disruptive measures.

Nyetimber’s groundbreaking victory shows that English sparkling wine can now stand shoulder to shoulder with Champagne — proving world-class wines can be made while working in harmony with nature.