Kent is the thirstiest place outside London when it comes to English wine, according to new figures.

The county is forming part of a bubble across the South East, which accounts for 51% of all English sparkling wine sales in the UK by independent seller Naked Wines.

The company said drinkers in London and the Home Counties are 10 times more likely to drink home-grown wines than the rest of the country.

Kent took the largest share of its wine sales outside London, buying 5.62% of all bottles sold in the last year, ahead of Surrey on 5.18% and Hampshire on 5.09%. The capital accounted for 18.74%.

Naked Wines, which runs crowdfunding campaigns for independent winemakers, said it has enjoyed a 16% spike in English wine sales in the 12 months to July.

The surge in demand has vindicated its £1 million of investment in English winemakers, through its network of 190,000 angel investors.

Its projects include raising £112,000 last year to fund the first English fizz from the Simpsons Wine Estate vineyard in Barham, near Canterbury, run by husband and wife Charles and Ruth Simpson.

Eamon FitzGerald, managing director of Naked Wines UK, said: “As a crowdfunded wine business, we invest where our customers tell us to, so it’s fantastic to see English fizz now bubbling over as one of their favourites.

“People are voting with their taste buds, backing British businesses and winemakers pursuing their dreams.

“This has given us the confidence to commit £1 million of investment into English wine. We’re very proud to be backing Britain.”

Kent is home to a range of popular winemakers.

Stock market-listed Chapel Down has vineyards across Tenterden, Blue Bell Hill and the Weald, while London Stock Exchange member Gusbourne Estate grows vines around Appledore in Romney Marsh and Sussex.

Hush Heath Estate grows in Staplehurst, Mount Vineyard grows in Shoreham, near Sevenaoks, and Biddenden Vineyard are among many others.