As many of us begin thinking about holiday plans, instead of heading abroad, you might find one of the most exciting wine experiences right on your doorstep, says David Carne
First, a little historical background… Vines have been planted in England since Roman times and the Domesday Book records around 40 vineyards by 1086, mostly located in the South. Monasteries in the Middle Ages cultivated grapes for sacramental use, however between the 14th and 17th centuries, a little ice-age hit which made growing vines more challenging and to some extent viticulture declined.
Despite some patchy attempts at revival in the 18th and 19th centuries, it wasn’t until 1952 when Major-General Sir Guy Salisbury-Jones planted a vineyard at Hambledon in Hampshire that the birth of modern English wine really began. Early vineyards used German hybrids which had greater tolerance to the cold climate, and produced some acceptable, but not outstanding light and acidic white and sparkling wines.
From the early 90’s, partly due to global warming and the planting of more traditional Champagne varieties, quality began to rapidly improve. By the 2010’s vineyards were being planted at a much more prolific rate, especially in the South East, resulting in close to 1,000 vineyards in the present day. By 2015, English sparkling wines were consistently winning international blind tastings against Champagne.
Wines to expect
Translating this to the wines you can expect, as a cold climate region, we excel in making premium sparkling wines, and increasingly some very good white wines. While there are a few very elegant Pinot Noirs, you’ll still be hard-pressed to find a full-bodied, rich red in the UK that is of any quality.
The quality
Despite the rather rough wines of the 60’s and 70’s, there are now some great English wines. For example, in 2025 the Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs 2016 won the best sparkling wine award in the International Wine Challenge, beating contenders from Champagne and other luxury sparkling producers. Not bad for a producer that makes only around a million bottles a year. The top Champagne houses typically produce between five and six times as many.
And speaking of Champagne, both Taittinger and Pommery now have vineyards in the South of England and produce wines under the labels Domaine Evermond and Louis Pommery England respectively. Other fantastic English brands include Chapel Down, Gusbourne, Hattingley, Ridgeview and Wiston Estate. But there are also some excellent small producers who are making wines of superb quality.
Visiting a vineyard
Winemaking in any region is not easy. The challenges of making wine in England are even greater. If we want to encourage the growth of English wine, there are two very tangible things we can do. Firstly, we can buy bottles and secondly we can visit the vineyards. Vineyard tours often represent a significant source of income without which a lot of wineries would really struggle. And what better time to visit than the summer months, when you can (usually!) expect better weather for walking around vineyards and sitting outside for a tasting.
While many of the top producers can be found in the South of England, it is actually possible to visit a number of great producers much closer to Birmingham. Buzzards Valley near Tamworth, Halfpenny Green in Staffordshire, Blabers Hall near Coventry, Welcombe Hills near Stratford and Astley vineyard in Worcestershire are all within an easy drive (obviously with a designated driver if some of the party are drinking).
Buying a bottle or visiting an English vineyard plays a major part in supporting a really important and developing industry. Unlike in other European countries, English vineyards receive far less direct subsidy than many of their Continental counterparts, and for them to keep producing ever greater wines the investment makes a huge difference.
So why not plan a visit this summer? You may find your new favourite. And whatever you drink, please do it responsibly.
DAVID’S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR JUNE
Something Sparkling:
Chateau Dereszla Tokaji Brut Wine – £9.99, Lidl
Citrus, apple and some dried fruit notes, with bright acidity, some herbal notes from the Hárslevelű grape and an aggressive mousse.
Something Fresh and Fruity:
Hawkes Bay Special Release Sauvignon Blanc – £19.99, Laithwaites
A truly remarkable Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. Expect searing acidity, grapefruit, tropical notes and lemon, but with a pleasant minerality and complexity not seen in other Sauvignons.
Something Big and Bold:
Journey’s End – The Bluegum Merlot, 2024 – £13, Sainsbury’s
Black fruit, cedar, vanilla, spice, chocolate and tobacco leaf combine beautifully for a complex and rounded smooth drinking experience.
Something Classic:
Zuccardi Apelación Malbec 2023 – £18.99, tauruswines.co.uk
Dark ripe fruits and spice, well-rounded and full-bodied. Some nice complexity and a long finish.
Something English:
Nyetimber, Blanc de Blancs, 2017 – £58, Nyetimber.com
Creamy lemon curd and pastry notes with some gooseberry, and a slightly savoury salinity. Complex and beautifully made.
Something Different:
Journey’s End Spekboom Malbec – £10.50, Sainsbury’s
A great BBQ Malbec. Good acidity and tannin, red plum, blueberry and chocolate.