by business editor Trevor Sturgess

A Kentish vineyard is expecting a huge sales boost if, as expected, its wine is served to guests at tomorrow's Royal Wedding - but the choice of French Champagne has been branded a "disgrace".

Chapel Down white wine, made in Tenterden and costing between £8.50 and £14 a bottle, is tipped to be poured during one of the receptions at Buckingham Palace.

The choice aims to demonstrate Kate and William's commitment to UK produce.

But the decision to serve the wine is surrounded by so much secrecy that vineyard chiefs are not allowed to confirm or deny the claim that their tipple has been delivered to Buckingham Palace.

However, Frazer Thompson, managing director, said, if true, it would give a great boost to the business, the Chapel Down name and UK wine.

"I'm honestly not allowed to say and we just don't know," he said, adding that, if true, the consignment would have been delivered by a royal warrant holder that normally purchased Chapel Down.

"I would be delighted if it is true."

However, he admitted to being "rather cross" that a French Pol Roger Champagne had also been chosen "in a year when the best champagne in the world was English".

"Frankly I don't care if it's not Chapel Down, but it should have been an English sparkling wine.

"I think it's a disgrace that French Champagne is served. It's the one chance we've got to celebrate all things English and I'm delighted that somebody has had the wisdom to allegedly serve an English wine at one of these celebrations."

Chapel Down has sales contracts with big-name supermarkets and other prestige suppliers.

The vineyard was founded some 30 years ago and now owns 25 acres of vines in Tenterden and 70 acres at a new vineyard on the slopes of the North Downs near Aylesford.

High-quality sparkling wine from this new vineyard is due to be ready in time for the 2012 Olympics. The vineyard has also diversified into beer production.