Taunton and South Somerset Living Apr - May 2020

ENGLISH WINE WEEK
Celebrating our home grown wines by Julia Trustram Eve
In the world of wine, Great Britain ranks as
one of the smallest wine regions. Arguably,
though, it is one of the most dynamic,
attracting plenty of attention over here and
making its mark with significant competition
wins and appraisals by wine experts and
influencers both here and overseas.
Great Britain is one of the fastest-growing
wine regions in the world; area planted with
grapevines is growing year on year and now
exceeds over 5,000 acres, having expanded
by nearly 200% in the last ten years alone.
Recently the wine industry’s body, Wines of
Great Britain (WineGB), predicted that in just
over 20 years’ time, we may be producing 40
million bottles.
There are now some 700 vineyards in
England and Wales, with the majority in
the south of England and stretching up to
Yorkshire and in north and south Wales. You’ll
find large wineries to one-man operations,
each with a story to tell. Approximately 70%
of all production is sparkling wine, with the
remaining 30% delicious still white, red and
rosé wine. In 2018 the UK produced just over
13 million bottles.
Luckily it is easy to discover our homegrown
wines: English and Welsh wines are
now readily-available in supermarkets to
independent retailers; online retailers, as well
as many restaurants and bars, and of course
direct from the vineyards themselves, either
via their websites or by visiting the cellar door.
The UK wine industry is launching their
awareness campaign English Wine Week and
Welsh Wine Week which this year takes place
from Saturday 23 - Sunday 31 May. Over
the Week look out for promotions, events
and activities to shine a light on this exciting
industry and its wines.
The end of May kicks off the summer
season and invites us outside to explore,
so what better time to visit to the vineyards
themselves. There are now around 200
vineyards open to visitors and located in
some of the most beautiful parts of the
country.
Vineyards offer a range of experiences
from guided and self-guided tours through
a vineyard to soak up the beautiful
surroundings, to visiting the cellar door
for a tasting. Some have a shop, restaurant
and even accommodation on site. It’s worth
checking opening times as some smaller
vineyards are open by appointment or at
set times. Larger vineyards are open all year
round. Guided tours are conducted by people
who are knowledgeable and entertaining and
in some smaller vineyards you may even get
the owner or winemaker. Visitors will take
away a great memory and new experience.
Some vineyards are now working closely
together to promote their region and enhance
other local attractions and amenities. Check
out Kent’s Wine Garden of England; Sussex
Wineries; Vineyards of Hampshire; Vineyards
of the Surrey Hills to name but a few - there
will soon be a Yorkshire wine trail too.
So let’s enjoy a summer of English wine
… in a country that sells one of the widest
ranges of wines across the globe, the wines
produced on our doorstep are a noteworthy
success story and worth celebrating. Now
surely that is something to raise a glass to -
cheers!
For more information on English Wine Week
and Welsh Wine Week, visit www.winegb.
co.uk. The website also lists the vineyards
of Great Britain and provides plenty of
background information on English and
Welsh wines. There are now also a number
of great books and guides for the wine
enthusiast.
Wine styles in Great Britain
Sparkling wines account for about two-thirds
of the country’s total wine production and
a style that is leading the UK’s reputation
for producing high quality wines. Most are
produced from the same varieties grown in
Champagne (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and
Pinot Meunier). Their finesse and longevity
are proving themselves year upon year
on the world stage in blind tastings and
competitions, and even Champagne houses
are investing in England - proof of the
confidence in this wine country and its future.
The UK’s still wines are also worth
discovering. Grape varieties such as
Bacchus, Pinot Gris, Pinot and Chardonnay
are producing styles of wines to delight the
palate, as well as other aromatic and new
varieties that thrive in Britain’s cool climate.
The result is a great range of styles from
dry to medium dry whites, refreshing rosé,
luscious dessert wines and fruity reds.
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