Unlike the iconic MCC of SA two new generic names coined for English sparkling wine have had a very mixed reception in the English wine community.

Hampshire-based producer Coates & Seely has coined the term ‘Britagne’ – pronounced ‘Britannia’ – in the hope it will be adopted for English sparkling wine.

Christian Seely, whose day job is managing director of the wine division ofAXA Millésimes, which includes Chateaux Pichon-Longueville in Bordeaux and Quinta do Noval in Portugal, believes English sparkling should have its own generic name to give it with greater prestige and reflect its increasingly high standing.

Launching their first wine last week, a sparkling rosé made from 65% Pinot Noir and 35% Pinot Meunier, Seely and his fellow-founder Nicholas Coates said their dream was that in five, 10 or perhaps 100 years’ time, people might walk into a bar and ask for a glass of Britagne.