It\u2019s still early days for wine production in England and Wales, but considering the prestige English sparkling wine has achieved in such a short space of time, it\u2019s an exciting and burgeoning scene. New vines are planted every year: since 2017, the number of vines has tripled from 1 million to 3.2 million as more and more farmers diversify into viticulture and wedding events to substitute their income.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not risk-free, however. However chalky our soil may be, we can\u2019t compete with the likes of France and Italy when it comes to sunshine and heat. Wetter conditions leave our vines more vulnerable to fungal infections such as mildew \u2013 another reason why most UK vineyards are situated in the southern counties, which has the least amount of rainfall, along with East Anglia.<\/p>\n More related content:<\/p>\n \u00a9 Getty<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> The undisputed king of English terroirs is the South-East, with 61.5% wine production in Kent and Sussex. The chalk downland has the same soil and topography as the Champagne region in France, and so grapes such as Pinots Noir and Meunier simply thrive in the warmer southern conditions. But other regions are hot on its heels: with Wales, East Anglia and the Midlands planning new plantings. Vineyards have sprung up in the most unlikely places: Yorkshire, Cornwall and Norfolk.<\/p>\n As with any wine, look for those with named varietal on the label (as opposed to just \u2018red\u2019 or \u2018white\u2019). Those with Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) on the label are excellent quality, and the most premium is Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) \u2013 these will be marked \u2018Wine of England\u2019.<\/p>\n The English climate is very unpredictable, and a good vintage relies on minimal spring frost, a fairly dry flowering season and a long period of warm weather during ripening. This happened in 2018 and 2019 \u2013 so look for these vintages if you can.<\/p>\n Black-skinned grapes are integral to red, ros\u00e9 and sparkling wine blends \u2013 but many are tricky to grow in the UK because we don\u2019t have the warm conditions required to ripen them. The holy sparkling wine trinity of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier all do well here, as do white and green-skinned grapes that originated in Northern Europe, such as Bacchus, Madeleine Angevine.<\/p>\n Time to taste! Here’s @camelwinemaker<\/a> and Ben from @FifteenCornwall<\/a> enjoying Madeleine Angevine 2011 pic.twitter.com\/BAO1mou8Bs<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Cornwall Food&Drink (@CornwallFood) July 8, 2013<\/a><\/blockquote>![\""Close\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2019\/03\/Grapevine-a37b51d.jpg?quality=45&resize=556,556"\" "\\"\"Illuminated\\"\/")
<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>Where do English wine grapes grow in the UK?<\/h2>\n
What to look for in an English wine<\/h2>\n
What grapes are used to make English wine?<\/h2>\n