English fizz v the rest – tasting notes

We all know what an urban myth is. Is there such a thing as a rural myth? If so, then the view commonly peddled in the British press that France's champagne producers are stealthily buying up land in southern England because the Champagne region is becoming too hot to produce top-quality fizz would probably qualify.

But how good is the best English sparkling wine compared with champagne selling at the same price, and with other popular fizz made elsewhere? My fellow Master of Wine, author of UK Vineyards Guide 2010 (see How to publish your own wine book) and...