Events

Game of Bubbles: Champagne vs. Sparkling Wines from Around the World at London Wine Fair 2025

Great Britain

Last year, Drinks+ proudly joined a select group of international media outlets supporting the high-profile debut of Judgement of London — an event paying homage to Steven Spurrier’s legendary 1976 “Judgment of Paris”, which sparked wide discussion across the global wine community. Inspired by the resonance and success of that tasting, London Wine Fair returns with a thrilling new theme: “Battle of the Bubbles”, promising equally heated debates among experts and sparkling wine enthusiasts alike.

This time, the spotlight is on the finest sparkling wines from around the globe, which will face off against benchmark Champagnes in a double-blind tasting. Each wine will be judged solely on its merits, without any brand identification.

The wine selection is curated by Sarah Abbott MW, wine consultant and Co-Founder of The Old Vine Conference, alongside Ronan Sayburn MS, CEO of The Court of Master Sommeliers. The tasting will be held behind closed doors at Olympia Exhibition Centre on May 19th, with the results revealed on London Wine Fair’s Centre Stage on May 21st at 2:00 PM.

As with last year, the judging panel will consist of around 20 of the UK wine industry’s top experts — Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers, and wine journalists specializing in sparkling wines. Confirmed judges include Sam Caporn MW, Giles Fallowfield, Matthieu Longuere MS, and Jane Rakison.

The wines will be evaluated under strict conditions in pairs matched by style, grape variety, terroir, age, and production method. A total of 12 pairs will be tasted. Each wine will be scored on a 10-point scale (with half points allowed), resulting in a maximum score of 200 per wine. The overall comparison between Champagne and the Rest of the World will also be revealed.

Sarah Abbott MW commented: “Sparkling wine is a booming and dynamic category, outperforming Champagne in the UK market. Yet, Champagne continues to dominate the prestige perception. I’m excited to see how our expert judges assess these wines in a blind format.”

Ronan Sayburn MS added: “Producers of Cava Paraje, VDP Sekt Prestige, and Prosecco Cartizze have significantly raised their game. Can their finest expressions now compete with Champagne in terms of quality and prestige?”

Hannah Tovey, Head of London Wine Fair, stated: “Last year’s Judgement of London became one of the show’s most talked-about features. This year’s ‘Battle of the Bubbles’ promises to be just as exciting. It’s a celebration of excellence, and we’re proud to host what is expected to be one of the most anticipated tastings in the wine world.”

The Battle of the Bubbles results will be announced on May 21st at 2:00 PM on the Centre Stage of London Wine Fair 2025.

We would like to remind you that Drinks+ Communication Media Group, together with Wine Travel Awards, is the official media partner of the London Wine Fair. This year, we will present a special stand dedicated to wine tourism, networking, and insights for professionals.

Be part of this major wine event of 2025. Register now and discover new opportunities to grow your business.

Stay connected with Wine Travel Awards: