English vino: ‘Wine’ not give it a go?

Many of us enjoy a glass of wine as a treat or to relax after a day at work.  To celebrate English Wine Week why not forgo your usual tipple and try out some produce from a vineyard a little closer to home?

While there is a vast array of food and drink that England is famous for, it’s fair to say that wine isn’t high on the list.  This is probably why the English Wine Producers introduced English Wine Week, to highlight the growing wine industry in the country.

Variety is the spice of life

There are 502 vineyards in the UK, producing more than 5 million bottles every year, with the top three grape varieties being Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Bacchus.  White and rosé are the most common varieties, but there are good reds available too. 

While most vineyards are understandably in the south of the country, capitalising on the warmer weather, they reach as far north as Scotland.

Rarity value

Unfortunately, you’re unlikely to find English wine as cheap as imported bottles.  This is because European wine producers receive tax breaks while English producers do not, which is reflected in the price of the product.  They’re also not as common, because of the smaller yield, so UK wine varieties can sell out very quickly.  If you’d like to give some a try, snap them up while you can!

So, if you’re tempted to give the home-grown product a try with your meals this week, or to relax al fresco, this recent article in the Independent gives a run-down of what are some of the best options to try.

You can also view some English Wine Week events near you if you fancy a few tasters or would like to know more.