English Wine Country

The Geology That Makes It Work

The South Downs chalk — identical to Champagne's Côte des Blancs — runs beneath Sussex, Hampshire and Kent. It was laid down 65–72 million years ago on the floor of the ancient Paris Basin. The same Belemnite fossils that Champagne's vignerons point to proudly are found at Hambledon Vineyard in Hampshire. This is not coincidence. It is geology, and it is the foundation on which England's wine reputation has been built.