Norwich-based Naked Wines has launched a funding round to raise £112,000 for an English sparkling wine – and will let drinkers choose the name.

But the company has already vetoed Winey McWineface as an option, having learned the lessons of Boaty McBoatface, the public's chosen name for the research vessel which ultimately become the RSS Sir David Attenborough.

The wine, which will be funded if 1,200 Naked Wines customers pledge to order, will be produced by Charles and Ruth Simpson at their vineyard in Kent where the cash will pay for winery equipment and the wine-making process.

The funding round is the first time that Naked Wines customers – which the company calls its angels – have had the chance to vote on the name, brand and label design of the wine, and they will also be able to visit the vineyard.

Eamon Fitzgerald, Naked Wines managing director, said: 'This is a fantastic opportunity for our angel customers to be part of winemaking history by funding, naming and designing the label of the newest addition to English Sparkling Wine.

'I do however have to admit, we have vetoed WineyMcWineFace from the name suggestions – sorry angels!'

Of working with Mr and Mrs Simpson, he added: 'They are seriously talented winemakers who will produce a top-notch English wine for our angels.

'The rise of English wines over the past years has been astounding. For our customers to be involved in naming and designing the newest addition is a fantastic opportunity.'

Sparkling wine sales have risen by 80% in the past five years, fuelled in part by the soaring popularity of Prosecco.

The new sparkling wine will be ready in 2018, once Mr and Mrs Simpson have installed the winery and tasting rooms at their renovated barns in their vineyards.

The couple changed careers 14 years ago to open their winery, Domaine Sainte Rose, in France's Languedoc region, but returned to the UK in 2014 to set up in Kent.

Naked Wines is a member of the EDP Top100 list of Norfolk and Suffolk's biggest companies, and is also a member of the Future50, which recognises the region's most forward-thinking firms.

It was founded in 2008 and funds independent winemakers to make exclusive wines at preferential prices, which it passes on to its 300,000-plus angels. Sales in the year to the end of March were £104.3m.

The crowdfunding campaign was launched yesterday at www.nakedwines.com/simpsons