Vineyard spotlight: we share a bottle of English wine with Liam Newton, CMO of Chapel Down in Kent

English sparkling wines sure are having their moment, and you certainly can’t have a proper afternoon tea without them. Chapel Down is one of our country’s top wine producers, best known for its acclaimed bubbly (our favourite!). The vineyard can be found in the heart of Kent, a region that benefits from a cool climate and chalk soils similar to those of Champagne, France. With global warming shifting optimum temperatures north, Kent is one of the regions to watch.

But far from being new, Chapel Down has actually been building its excellent reputation for quality still and sparkling wines for over two decades. Alongside winemaking, it has become a prominent advocate for English wine, playing a key role in its rising popularity both domestically and abroad. We took a Southeastern train from London Bridge to Headcorn Station (tip: book directly to avoid booking fees and save more), then a 20-minute taxi ride to the Chapel Down vineyard to chat with Liam Newton, CMO of Chapel Down. 

Interview with Liam Newton, CMO of Chapel Down

Thanks for chatting with us, Liam. You have a beautiful vineyard! What makes the terroir of Kent so well-suited to producing high-quality sparkling wine?

Well, thank you. Kent has always been known as the Garden of England. We aim to create crisp, fresh sparkling wines which balance elegance with complexity and intensity, and are a true product of Kent’s landscape. Kent offers a cooler climate, higher altitude, chalk-based soils, and a high number of sunlight hours during the growing season, which all contribute to producing high-quality sparkling wine.

How does English Sparkling compare to Champagne?

The similarities between English sparkling wine and Champagne are clear. We both use the Traditional Method of winemaking; we both use Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grape varieties; and we’re both blessed with the same chalky soil. But the differences are as, if not more, important. Our climate here is, on average, 1˚ cooler than the Champagne region, and this cool, maritime climate allows our grapes to ripen with a higher natural acidity, which gives our wines their signature crisp, fresh taste.

How do you ensure the menu from Chapel Down’s on-site restaurant, The Swan, complements each of your wines?

The Swan rotates its food menu regularly, using locally sourced ingredients, so there is always a great selection of fine dining options that suit our wines. We recently ran a Luxury Winemaker Dinner at The Swan, where the Head Chef created a bespoke menu, and each dish complemented a specific wine from our finest vineyard, Kit’s Coty. Located on the Kent Downs, the chalk soil and cool maritime climate at Kit’s Coty is perfect for making outstanding sparkling wine.

Some dishes we had were thoughtfully elevated with ingredients from the Far East, pairing well with the Bacchus and Chardonnay. Are there any plans to expand Chapel Down’s presence in the Asian market?

Chapel Down is now exported to 16 markets internationally, and we certainly see an export opportunity in many countries in the Asian market, as well as the US, Scandinavia and Global Travel Retail. However, growth in the UK will be the greatest contributor to achieving short-term growth, though international growth is an exciting medium-to-long-term opportunity for Chapel Down.

And here in England, why do you think the Chapel Down Brut has especially been such a hit with afternoon tea pairings?

Chapel Down Brut is our most popular English sparkling wine, and its flavour profile suits many occasions, including afternoon tea. It has a crisp, fresh style with lots of green apple character and wild strawberry. The palate is smooth and delicate with a refreshing, balanced finish. This means it works well either as an aperitif or with a range of food styles, from afternoon teas to traditional classics such as Fish and Chips.

How has climate change impacted grape growing in Kent over the past decade?

Average growing-season temperatures in southern England have risen by two degrees since the 1970s. Over the past 20 years, the warming climate has indisputably boosted the English wine industry, and we are now able to grow grape varieties, such as Chardonnay, which we weren’t able to grow in the UK that long ago. In Kent specifically, we are less than 200 miles from the Champagne region in North-Eastern France. As such, we are closer to Reims than to Newcastle!

What are the main challenges currently facing the English wine industry?

The biggest challenge facing the English wine industry at present is that it still has relatively low levels of awareness and trial amongst consumers. We are still at the early stages of our evolution as an industry, but we are seeing strong growth as more and more people appreciate the excellent quality of our wines.

Which of your wines would you recommend as an introduction for someone new to English wine?

I would recommend our best-selling English sparkling wine, Chapel Down Brut, as it is the most widely available in the UK and typifies our fresh, crisp style of wine. It’s perfect for every ‘big little moment’, so pop open a bottle and enjoy a fresher way to celebrate!

The Tenterden region is undeniably charming. How proactive is the area when it comes to promoting itself as a destination for wine tourism?

Our brand home in Tenterden is an important part of our marketing efforts. Each year, we welcome over 50,000 visitors, many of whom enjoy wine tours and experiences. On TripAdvisor and Google, we have a 4.7 rating and have won the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice award for many consecutive years, showing how well our brand home is regarded by wine lovers.

We are also part of the Wine Garden of England group. Nine vineyards with a shared vision: to make everyone as passionate about Kent wines as we are.

If you had to choose one Chapel Down wine to represent the future of English winemaking, which would it be and why?

I would suggest our Chapel Down Grand Reserve 2019 English Sparkling Wine. It’s a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier from the first pressing of the grapes. This rich, complex, and elegant wine benefits from extended ageing in the bottle, bringing notes of ripe apple, fresh red berries and toasted brioche. It’s a great signifier for the future of English winemaking.

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