Dom Perignon, a 17th century Benedictine monk from France, is generally considered to be the founding father of champagne - but one British wine producer begs to differ.

According to Mike Roberts, of Ridgeview in East Sussex, a Gloucester-based English doctor called Christopher Merret in fact recorded a recipe for a wine very similar to champagne 20 years before the Frenchman.

Back in 1662, Dr Merret supposedly proposed to the Royal Society a "second fermentation process" almost identical to the "methode champenoise" that is still used today.

In recognition of the good doctor's achievement, Mr Roberts wants to name English sparkling wine Merret, after its purported creator.

It is a new development in the ongoing debate over what to name English sparkling wine, which has attracted some prestige in recent years.

Christian Seely, managing director of the wine division of AXA Millesimes, wants to name the wine Britagne, to give it its own identity while highlighting the parallels in quality with the French stuff.