Ep 243 - 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Champagne vs English Sparkling: Climate, Grapes & the Future with Tom Hewson

In this episode, Janina welcomes Tom Hewson, champagne correspondent for Decanter and creator of Six Atmospheres, to explore one of her favourite topics: the evolving worlds of Champagne and English sparkling wine. They dive into climate shifts, grape varieties, lost cépages, yields, soil diversity, younger producers, pruning rules, and what the future might look like for both regions. A deep, insightful and truly geeky conversation for sparkling wine lovers. Shownotes 02:19 From jazz musician to sparkling wine specialist - Tom’s unexpected journey. 03:55 Is another English Wine Report coming? Janina asks about future editions. 04:34 Behind the scenes of tasting and writing large regional reports - workload, scale and logistics. 05:57 Comparing vineyard size: hectares planted in England vs Champagne. 07:20 “How big is Champagne?” — breaking down vineyard numbers and grower totals. 09:40 Janina asks whether England is close to defining its own “grand cru” sites; Tom responds on regional potential. 12:42 Comparing English regions: southeast vs southwest, the north, and Wales - how climate shapes categories. 15:41 How climate change is affecting Champagne and England differently - and why “warmer” doesn’t always mean “easier.” 18:29 Maritime vs continental climates - should England and Champagne really be compared? 24:09 Janina asks about Voltis, the first hybrid grape permitted in a French appellation. 25:48 Tom’s experience with lost or forgotten Champagne varieties (Arbanne, Petit Meslier). 31:33 Land prices: cost of vineyard land in Champagne vs England - and why experimentation is easier in the UK. 34:19 Younger Champagne producers embracing Meunier and the rise of single-varietal Meunier wines. 38:27 How much chalk does Champagne actually have? And why England’s soil diversity could be an advantage. 41:26 Is soil diversity a benefit or a complication for England’s future? 44:04 Yields: England vs Champagne - narrowing gaps and the impact of controlled limits. 45:02 What yields Champagne would have without regulatory controls. 47:33 England’s upward trend in yields and how hobby vineyards distort averages. 49:27 Pruning systems: Champagne’s strict rules vs England’s flexibility - should England adopt more structure? 51:37 Sustainability and biodynamics: how both regions are adapting under environmental pressure. 55:34 Agro-tourism in England and Champagne 57:58 Tom’s final recommendations and key takeaways for sparkling wine lovers. 📩 Questions or feedback? [email protected] 📸 Instagram: @eatsleep_winerepeat 🎥 YouTube: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat 🌐 Website: www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk Cheers to you! 🥂 THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST Featured in Decanter Magazine and Radio Times, and listed among the top UK wine podcasts by Feedspot. RECOGNITION: – Finalist, 67 Pall Mall Award for Best Global Wine Communicator in Audio (2025) – Shortlisted, IWSC Emerging Talent in Wine Communication (2025) – Listed #22 on Drinks Retailing’s 2025 Most Influential People in Drinks