“British Airways has announced it will be introducing four English sparkling wines into its drinks roster as part of a year-long rotation, with the wine on offer changing every three months. First to fly is the Digby Fine English Brut NV, created by the UK’s first négociant winery,” writes Eloise Feilden for The Drinks Business.

“Trevor Clough, CEO and head blender, told db: ‘We think it’s amazing that British Airways, as an internationally loved British brand and a physical connector of us to the rest of the world, is really quadrupling down on English sparkling wine. To be the welcome treat for business class passengers is another huge wave pushing English wine to the forefront – where it belongs. For Digby to be leading that charge is just awesome. We are pleased and tickled to be a part of it.’

From July, the airline will serve the Balfour Rosé de Noirs, grown on the Balfour Hush Heath Estate in Kent. This rosé sparkling wine is an exclusive blend for British Airways, making it only available at 35,000ft for customers in the airline’s Club World cabin.

Adam Williams, sales director at Balfour, believes the new listing will create ‘new audiences and opportunities’ for English wine on an international scale.” Read more here.