Wine from Dorset is becoming increasingly popular with our European neighbours.

The Langham Wine Estate has reported a rise in demand from Europe for its award-winning sparkling wine.

Owner Justin Langham, pictured left, said: “We are now exporting to three markets.

“Sweden were the first to place an order.

“We now have a Norwegian importer and we have just received the first order from our Italian importer.

“Tommy [Grimshaw] our winemaker and I attended a successful wine fair in Norway this month.

“We are very impressed with the importer we have teamed up with and the Norwegians seem to love our wine.”

Justin said he has also received enquiries from Belgium, Switzerland and Australia.

He said: “It’s a market we are looking to grow organically.

“There is the potential there to do it, we are just happy for them to come to us.”

The winery currently produces between 50,000 and 60,000 bottles of English sparkling wine per year.

Last year it announced production is to be expanded by 200 per cent to meet demand.

Its vineyards are to increase from 30 acres to 85 acres in a project costing more than £500,000.

The expansion will increase annual production from 50,000 to 150,000 bottles.

The latest 45 acres of vines were planted at its Crawthorne vineyard site, about 11 miles from Dorchester, last May.

They include existing clones and varieties, predominantly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

The first harvest is expected in 2024/25 and the wine will be on sale in 2026/27.

A further ten acres are due to be planted this year.

Justin said: “It’s good to have a toehold in export markets now so that when we have a lot more wine to sell we can expand on that.”

In 2020, Langham was named Sparkling Wine Producer of the Year by the International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC).

It saw off competition from more than 700 entries from all over the world including champagne and prosecco brands.

The previous year the contest had been won by the French champagne house, Veuve Clicquot.

• langhamwine.co.uk