Sussex sparkling PDO causes friction in rival counties
O rderinga bottle of ‘Sussex’ English wine could become familiar after UK government announced protected status for the term – but the move has also reignited debate.
Sparkling and still wines meeting set production rules and made in East and West Sussex counties will be eligible for the new Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), it was announced in June.
Mark Driver, co-founder of Rathfinny Wine Estate near Seaford on the coast and a prominent supporter of the move, said Sussex would enjoy similar status to that of Champagne or Rioja in the UK’s Geographical Indication (GI) scheme.
Looking further ahead, he said: ‘We can’t wait for the day when you can go into a bar in London, New York, Beijing, or Tokyo and will be asked: “would you like a glass of Champagne or a delicious glass of Sussex?”.’
Sparkling Sussex wines must be made using the ‘traditional method’, with the classic ‘Champagne’ trio of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier among approved grape varieties.
Those three varieties are
