I’m going to say it: Charmat is proof that seriously good fizz doesn’t have to be expensive or saved for special occasions. But what’s the secret? How is something this good and popular, so well-priced? At Flint Vineyard, our Charmat balances quality and cost in several ways, but the main reason isn’t what you might have guessed.
The Charmat method: a smarter way to make sparkling wine
English winemaker Ben Witchell says he has seen the light and embraced making Charmat-style sparkling wines
In the wine world, it’s well known that the ‘Charmat Method’ involves using large, sealed tanks to create bubbles, instead of individual bottles. Both processes are technically similar: fizz comes from the CO2 produced naturally during secondary fermentation. Doing this at scale in large tanks allows for significant savings in terms of time, materials, and labour.
The thing is, Flint Charmat is made in small batches, so that’s not the full story.
The youth of the wine is a big part of the equation, of course. Unlike other sparkling wine styles which need years of ageing to develop in the bottle, Charmat is made to be enjoyed young.
As soon as it’s in the bottle, it’s ready to come out again, cutting out years of storage costs and delivering a flavour that’s as fresh as a summer’s day. But although relevant, time isn’t the secret here either.
Game-changer: alternative grape varieties with a sustainable future
The real reason for Charmat’s accessible price point is the fruit we use. At Flint, we select lesser-known but game-changing grape varieties such as Solaris, Cabernet Cortis, and Sauvignac. These unfamiliar names - collectively known as PIWIs - thrive in the UK climate but their main advantage is their sustainable credentials.
Being largely resistant to mildew, grape growers can use much lower inputs, by way of fungicides, for example, which is a huge tick in today’s environmentally conscious world.
Flint is using what it calls "game-changing grape varieties" such as Solaris, Cabernet Cortis, and Sauvignac
To date these varieties haven’t really found a natural home, so they aren’t well known to consumers… yet. But they produce highly aromatic, bold wines that perfectly suit a youthful and exuberant sparkling wine.
Our debut Charmat was the first time we put this thinking to the test, and our customers’ reaction was proof positive. We may just have created the first English sparkling wine made from environmentally sustainable grapes, that also has long-term economic sustainability, both for us and for the person drinking it.
So we’re calling it: PIWI grape varieties – once the young upstarts of the English wine industry, now have a home. Lower intervention, lower costs, but certainly not lesser quality. These varieties are bursting with character: vibrant, aromatic, and packed with energy. Perfect for today’s wine drinker many of whom who want a bold flavour and experience without all the formality.
The growing role of Charmat in the UK
For years, English sparkling wine has been synonymous with the ‘Traditional Method’, establishing the country as a serious contender in the world of premium sparkling wine. But consumer preferences are evolving, and at Flint we’re keen to lean into that and challenge convention.
Sparkling wine typically falls into two categories: serious and expensive or easy-drinking and affordable. Traditional Method wines usually rely on delicate, disease-prone varieties like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, making them costly to produce. Meanwhile, high-volume Italian bubbles dominate the approachable market - cheap, but not better. English winemakers have an opportunity to redefine this landscape.
By adopting Charmat and harnessing fresh, zingy grape varieties that thrive in our climate, we can create wines that are both serious and fun - and distinctly English. In this case, sustainability isn’t just an ethical choice; it’s a cost-effective one. And with an eager market waiting, Charmat provides the answer to the sometimes overlooked question: “Who is going to drink this?”
The future of English Charmat: breaking barriers, redefining perceptions
At Flint Vineyard, we’re proud to be at the forefront of this movement, proving that high-quality English sparkling wine doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Our goal is simple: to create exceptional English sparkling wine that doesn’t feel like a rare luxury but instead fits seamlessly into everyday life.
So that’s the secret, for us at least, taking sustainable, easy-to-grow, lesser-known grape varieties and crafting something genuinely exciting with them. Charmat is about breaking down barriers, offering something fresh and innovative, and showing that world-class English sparkling wine doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag.
Flint Charmat is sparkling wine for everyone, just how bubbles should be, we think.
