http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/7094055/English-sparkling-wine-beats-French-champagne-to-top-title.html
The story states: English sparkling wine beats French champagne to top title An English sparkling wine has captured first prize in an international competition, beating the leading French champagne producers including Bollinger and Louis Roederer.
By Richard Savill Published: 7:30AM GMT 29 Jan 2010
Nyetimber's Classic Cuvée 2003 which is made in Sussex was crowned Champion of Worldwide Sparkling Wines in the competition run by Italy's wine magazine Euposia.
Now in its second year, the competition Bollicine del Mondo attracts sparkling wines from around the world. The wines are tasted blind by a panel of judges including winemakers.
....
Eric Hareema, the owner of Nyetimber in West Chiltington, Sussex, said the success of the wine was due to the hot summer of 2003, which produced the winning grapes.
says they first planted the grapes in 88.
I'm not a wine drinker much but I am sort of a heavy taster a with a decent knowledge for many years. I don't think the French dominate totally but they do more often than not offer the most complexity and nuance in their Bourdeauxs and Burgundies and white Burgundies as well but in Champagne I figured they were untouchable.
I guess that assumption was wrong at least for this vintage..."they beat Bollinger"...quite an accomplishment...
thanks