News
Taittinger opens Domaine Evremond, its new English vineyard
The Champagne house Taittinger has marked the opening of Domaine Evremond, a new vineyard established on English soil, signalling a notable expansion beyond the Champagne region.
What happened
Taittinger, the Reims-based Champagne house, has celebrated the opening of Domaine Evremond, a new vineyard situated in England. The milestone was marked on 1 October 2024, representing the house's first established presence in English viticulture.
Why it matters
For a Champagne house of Taittinger's standing to plant its flag in English soil is no small gesture. The move reflects a broader and growing acknowledgement within the fine sparkling wine world that England's terroir is capable of producing wines of genuine quality. By committing to a named domaine — Domaine Evremond — rather than a simple commercial arrangement, Taittinger has signalled a long-term investment in the English landscape and its potential.
The decision also carries symbolic weight. Champagne houses have historically regarded their appellation as the singular benchmark for prestige sparkling wine. That one of France's most recognised houses should now cultivate vines across the Channel speaks to a shift in how the industry views English growing conditions. For English sparkling wine producers, the arrival of such a house lends further credibility to a category that has been steadily building its reputation.
Context
England has seen considerable interest in its sparkling wine potential over recent years, with the country's chalky soils and cool climate drawing comparisons — cautious but persistent — to those of the Champagne region itself. Domaine Evremond represents Taittinger's expansion beyond the strictly defined boundaries of the Champagne appellation, into territory that operates under entirely different regulatory and geographical conditions.
The name Evremond itself carries a certain historical resonance with Anglo-French cultural exchange, lending the project a considered identity rather than the air of a speculative venture. Whether this opening marks the beginning of a wider trend among Champagne houses remains to be seen, but Taittinger's commitment to a dedicated English domaine places it at the forefront of what may prove to be a defining chapter for both English viticulture and the broader world of prestige sparkling wine.