United Kingdom

The foggy and rainy British Isles may seem like an even less viticultural place than our own country, but when you consider that Kent is a geological extension of Burgundy, the fact of making really good wines here becomes a little less abstract. On the chalk hills that run in an undulating line along the white cliffs of Kent lay the vineyards of the Simpsons family, who have been producing acclaimed wines on the other side of the English Channel for many years. Their specialty are sparkling wines created using the champagne method, but the real surprise will be the Pinot Noir made here, which is as good as many Burgundies in quality and aging potential.