Latest news with #EnglishWine
The Independent
20-07-2025
- The Independent
When it comes to pinot noir, the only way is Essex (believe it or not)
If anyone asks me where I grew up, I generally answer 'perilously close to Essex'. Sleepovers in Chigwell, avoiding nightclubs in Epping, house parties in Theydon Bois (if you were wondering, it's pronounced boys). Needless to say, at the time, my wine drinking wasn't sophisticated, but who cares? I really did think Lambrini was pretty chic. But Essex is much maligned. It is, in fact, one of the country's most beautiful counties. It may not have rugged cliffs or craggy hills, but in its rural corners you'll find the landscape that inspired Constable, and on its easterly edges a soft, yielding coastline whose estuaries give way to the North Sea. And it's in this landscape that something remarkable is happening in English wine. The southern London counties have often claimed the headlines on wine: Kent and the Sussexes, I'm talking about you – and for good reason. But London's north-easterly neighbour is quietly gaining ground. In looking at my map of The Vineyards of England & Wales that was published in 1981, there were a total of fifteen vineyards mapped in Essex; there are now over fifty-five, with the highest density centred around the Crouch Valley, located to the south-east of Chelmsford. This area in the Crouch Valley is garnering quite a lot of attention for being a perfect site for creating still wines, especially pinot noir and chardonnay. It's a holy trinity of factors that make this area so special: its proximity to the Crouch river gives it protection from extreme frosts and cold winds, the moisture and nutrient-retaining rich, heavy clay soils, and last, but definitely not least, its wonderfully dry and sunny microclimate. This is one of the sunniest and warmest spots in the UK. The wider wine world is taking notice. It was a huge step when Jackson Family Wines (JFW), best known for their Kendall-Jackson label, announced in 2023 that they would be investing in and planting 27 hectares of vines in the Crouch Valley. JFW are a huge global wine player. Still entirely family owned, they are deeply passionate about sourcing the best sites for production, and have operations spanning the globe, including the US, Australia, France, Italy, Chile and South Africa. Just this week, it was announced that one of Burgundy's finest producers, Domaine Duroché, is creating a joint venture with Danbury Ridge vineyard. This relationship developed after Duroché tasted the 2021 pinot noir and was deeply impressed. But he's not the first Burgundian to note the potential of this area. Bernard Moreau et Fils, an outstanding producer of some of the world's finest chardonnays, now under the helm of fourth-generation Alex and Benoit Moreau, is working with Missing Gate Vineyard to produce a new chardonnay. While the wines are not cheap, you have to remember that land is at an absolute premium, and the intensity of the work that goes into making these wines is next level. They are completely worth their price tag, and offer great value for money for the wine in your glass, and, whisper it, offer better value than Burgundy at the same price, especially for the chardonnays. With such thrilling and dynamic wines being produced, it's time to finally banish the old tropes of this wonderful county – these winemakers don't see Essex as a joke. Furthermore, this Essex girl is proudly ordering a glass of chardonnay. Just make sure it's from Essex, please. Long-Player, Chardonnay, Crouch Valley, Gutter & Stars, Crouch Valley, UK, 2022 Available from Gutter & Stars, £33, 12 per cent ABV Made by one of the most exciting winemakers in the UK, Chris Wilkins, who can be found in his urban winery in Cambridge, this Essex chardonnay is upfront and unashamed in its initial tropical kick, and I love it! On the palate, the pineapple, passionfruit flavours are supported by bracing lemon citrus acidity, wafts of smoke and wooded vanilla spice. It's both generous and decadent, and I'm utterly seduced. Marbury Chardonnay, Crouch Valley, UK, 2023 Limited availability through St Swithins, £38, 12.5 per cent ABV This is Jackson Family Wine's first release from carefully sourced grapes neighbouring their vineyards. This has a delicate nose of lime blossom and lemon curd, which is supported by restrained flavours of white peach, swirls of vanilla cream and a beautiful saline edge. House on the Hill Chardonnay, Great Wheatley Vineyard, UK, 2023 Register interest to purchase on release (expected in the coming weeks) 12 per cent ABV Okay, so I appreciate that it's unconventional to recommend a yet-to-be-released wine, but I had the opportunity to taste Great Wheatley's chardonnay and was so impressed – it's too good not to share. It has an expressive nose of golden apples, tangy citrus and sweet vanilla, which is supported by a generous palate of toasted hazelnuts and salted caramel. There's mouth-watering acidity supporting this supple and generous wine – a stunning example of Essex's capability. Danbury Ridge Pinot Noir, Essex, UK, 2022 Available from The Wine Society, £39, 13.5 per cent ABV A wine to contradict any ideas about English reds being thin and watery. This is full of rich, ripe blackberries and concentrated black cherries, alongside a sweet cinnamon and smoky edge. It was a warm vintage in the UK, and you can certainly feel the Costa del Crouch sunshine in your glass. The Dark End of the Street, Pinot Noir, Gutter & Stars, Crouch Valley, UK, 2023 Available from Gutter & Stars, £33, 11 per cent ABV A restrained nose that is poised with amarena sour cherry and redcurrant, on the palate this reveals a more enigmatic profile of autumn leaves and black pepper spice alongside the concentrated sweeter red fruits.
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
King Charles and Camilla's favourite sparkling wine has huge discount for English Wine Week - here are the best deals ahead of Wimbledon and Henley Regatta
With English Wine Week in full swing, there's no time like the present to refresh your drinks collection. Taking place from 21 to 29 June, the annual event - organised by WineGB - celebrates the quality, innovation and community spirit of English winemaking, with a strong focus on sparkling wines. This year's theme, Create New Traditions, invites wine lovers to explore and enjoy homegrown bottles in fresh, meaningful ways. And with summer events like Wimbledon and the Henley Royal Regatta just around the corner, there's no better excuse to stock up on something special. Browse our curated selection of standout English sparkling wines at exceptional prices - including a discounted sparkling rosé from Highgrove, the official residence of King Charles and Queen Camilla. Highgrove English Sparkling Rosé NV, 75cl £30.56 Crafted exclusively for Highgrove by Herbert Hall Winery in Kent, this pale pink blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay features aromas of wild strawberry, peach blossom and fresh acidity. It's ideal as an elegant aperitif. Shop Rathfinny Wine Estate, Classic Cuvée Brut, 75cl £33.95 This Sussex sparkler delivers aromas of grapefruit, red apple and brioche, with zesty acidity and a creamy, biscuity texture. Perfectly paired with truffle-infused arancini or a cep and onion tart. Shop Tesco Finest English Sparkling Wine, 75cl £21.50 From the award-winning Balfour winery, this crisp blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir delivers apple, citrus and subtle brioche notes. Best enjoyed chilled as a refreshing aperitif. Shop Flint Charmat White, Norfolk, 75cl £19.80 Made sustainably in Norfolk, this sparkling white features notes of lemon, pear, melon and green apple. Fermentation in oak and tank gives it both depth and vibrancy. Shop Chapel Down A Touch of Sparkle 2022/23, Kent, 75cl £13 One of the UK's leading winemakers, Chapel Down, blends Bacchus and Chardonnay grapes grown in Kent. Expect fresh floral aromas and tropical fruit notes, including pineapple and grapefruit. Shop Furleigh Estate Dorset Coast Special Reserve, 75cl £25 Boasting a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, this sparkling wine is made in the Dorset countryside. It has earned numerous accolades for its refined character. Shop Harvey Nichols English Sparkling Brut NV, 75cl £31 Produced by Digby Fine English, this traditional method blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir is aged for two years on lees. It boasts citrus, green apple and stone fruit flavours with a creamy biscuit finish - great with canapés or seafood. Shop Waitrose Leckford Estate English Sparkling Wine, 75cl £30 From Waitrose's Leckford Estate, this one-off vintage offers a slightly sweeter profile with a creamy mouthfeel. Celebration-ready, it's perfect for toasting or enjoying with light desserts. Shop Bolney North Downs Classic Cuvée NV Brut, 75cl £25 An outstanding wine from Bolney Estate, this vintage blend has aromas of green apple and tea roses, with lemon oil and brioche on the palate. It's complex and structured - great with delicate canapés or shellfish. Shop Sainsbury's Ellercombe English Sparkling Wine, Taste the Difference, 75cl £17 Made from grapes grown across top vineyard sites in Southern England, this wine combines Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Expect green apple, citrus, toasty brioche and a hint of elderflower. Shop
BBC News
23-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Northamptonshire vineyards say English wine is not a novelty
English wine makers said their produce is gaining a reputation as a "premium product" and not a "novelty".Rebecca Beveridge, from New Lodge Vineyard in Northamptonshire, said people had "cottoned on" to English wine, which has gained recognition in recent years for its high Lodge, in Earls Barton, along with Stonyfield Vineyard in Blisworth, have both been named on a new East Midlands wine trail."English sparkling wine is [regularly] ranked [by critics as being] second after Champange, with Cava produced in Spain and Prosecco from Italy rated behind us," said Ms Beveridge. As a result of climate change, English wine producers are now able to grow grapes traditionally associated with more recognised names from the sparkling wine Vaughan from Stonyfield said: "I think Northamptonshire is getting known for a lot of things, including wine. There are probably a dozen vineyards in Northamptonshire."We knew virtually nothing about making wine when we started [15 years ago]... it's been a steep learning curve."He explained that English sparkling wine was "made the same way as Champagne and tastes like Champagne". New Lodge Vineyard was founded by Ms Beveridge's late mother Joyce Boulos-Hanna, who died in 2023, and said she wanted to continue her mother's legacy as English wine continued to grow in popularity."My mother just enjoyed the landscape, she loved tending the vines... just seeing to their care and looking at them. From vines you get grapes and from grapes you get wine and I'm not sure she made that connection right at the beginning," she said."She's certainly helping. Pushing, prodding, guiding, commenting. I talk to her all the time and I want to do things her way in her style. "My nephew said shortly after we lost her that she died in her prime at 90. She really did, she was full of so much energy, so many ideas and was so inspired by life." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Forbes
23-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How To Celebrate English Wine Week
A Union flag flies above Exton Park vineyard in Southampton, England. Getty Images English Wine Week is underway, and this year's theme, 'Create New Traditions,' feels increasingly relevant. Premium sparkling wines are consistently emerging from the chalky slopes of southern England, and wine lovers are taking them very seriously, increasingly convinced they can compete with Champagne for prestige and glamour. From weddings and Sunday lunches to garden parties and casual aperitifs, English fizz is no longer a curiosity, it deserves its place in the social calendar. During English Wine Week (21–29 June 2025), wine lovers can immerse themselves in a host of events across the country, from vineyard tours and tastings to winemaker dinners and pop-up experiences. Many estates across Southern England are opening their doors to guests, with guided walks, barbecues among the vines, live jazz, and even vintage-bus tours between producers on the agenda. A look at the stats suggests it's going to be a busy week. Visits to UK vineyards have seen steady growth, with WineGB's latest Wine Tourism Report recording a 55% increase over the two years leading up to 2024 - totalling 1.5 million visits to vineyards and wineries in the past year alone. The upward trend shows no signs of slowing, driven by the growing reputation of English wine and the continued expansion of cellar door experiences across the country. Visitors to Balfour winery. Saltwick Media Restaurants and bars are offering English wine pairing menus, while national and independent retailers are all running promotions in their own way. Whether you're sipping sparkling in the sun, exploring a vineyard trail, or discovering the growing stable of award-winning wines, this week is the perfect time to celebrate and support England's fast-rising wine scene. Virtually every winery in the country is doing something, but you can see a full program of events throughout the week here. Here are some other ideas and stops worth checking out. Restaurants with an outstanding English wine list The stunning interiors at Woven by Adam Smith at Coworth Park is one of the greatest place to indulge in England's best bubbles. Woven by Adam Smith / Cowarth Park Set within the elegant grounds of Coworth Park in Berkshire, Woven by Adam Smith offers a confident expression of modern British cooking. The interiors are understated, and thoughtfully designed, providing a calm and polished backdrop to a menu driven by seasonal ingredients and technical precision. A carefully curated English wine list complements the food, with producers like Danbury Ridge featured by the glass and in half-bottles - offering both sophistication and strong value. English wines are fully integrated into the tasting menu, from lively local sparklings to a refined Sussex Blanc de Blancs, each pairing selected to echo the flavours and textures of the dish. It's a considered and immersive dining experience, where English food and wine are presented at their most articulate. The Clove Club in Shoreditch has English wines going back to the 90s in their cellar. The Clove Club The Clove Club The Clove Club is one of London's most refined and forward-thinking restaurants, celebrated not only for its elegant, ingredient-led tasting menus but also for its exceptional wine list. For those curious about the evolution of English sparkling wine, it's it's an opportunity to explore the category's legacy. The cellar includes rare back vintages from pioneering producers like Nyetimber, with bottles dating back to the early 1990s, offering a glimpse into how these wines age. Things have improved a lot since then of course. You'll also find older vintages from Roebuck Estates and Gusbourne, each showcasing the depth, complexity, and ageing potential that English sparkling can now command. It's a fitting setting to appreciate just how far the country's wine industry has come and drink important wines with some of the best ingredients and cooking in the British isles. The Gallivant has a wonderful English wine list. The Gallivant The Gallivant The Gallivant at Camber Sands is a boutique coastal retreat that combines laid-back luxury with a deep-rooted passion for English wine. Just steps from the sweeping dunes of East Sussex, the hotel offers a relaxed, beach-house feel with a distinctly British sensibility. What truly sets it apart, however, is its extraordinary wine offering—the largest English wine list in the country. Each evening, guests are invited to take part in the hotel's signature 'English Wine at Five' ritual, where a rotating selection of local sparkling wines is served by the glass in the lounge, creating a warm and convivial atmosphere. The restaurant places English wine front and centre, with a carefully curated list that celebrates the diversity and quality of producers across the country. Sommelier-led pairing suggestions and tastings are regularly offered for those looking to explore more deeply. With nearby vineyard visits available and a team passionate about sharing the story behind each bottle, The Gallivant is more than a place to stay—it's a coastal gateway to the vibrant world of English wine. The Vineyard Hotel & Spa near Newbury is a wine focussed hotel and alongside a changing selection of English wines, boasts a cellar of 30,000 bottles. The Vineyard The Vineyard Hotel The Vineyard at Stockcross, just outside Newbury in Berkshire, is a five-star hotel and spa with a celebrated restaurant - all built around a genuine passion for wine. Set within an elegant 18th-century former hunting lodge, it offers refined accommodation and award-winning dining beneath a domed skylight, surrounded by an impressive collection of original artworks. At its heart is an extraordinary wine cellar, home to around 30,000 bottles and over 100 wines by the glass, including a carefully curated selection of leading English still and sparkling wines. A well informed team guides guests through the menu, and and is keen to provide recommendations. Just 90 minutes from London, The Vineyard is a great weekend retreat combining relaxation and quality food with thoughtful wine experiences. The interiors at The Ivy. © Jake Eastham The Ivy The Original Ivy is a West End institution, where Art Deco glamour and classic British charm create the perfect setting for a glass of English bubbles. With its polished wood panelling, vintage mirrors, and pressed white tablecloths, the décor alone makes it a fitting place to enjoy a bottle of. Nyetimber's homegrown fizz, alongside their well-loved menu of elevated English comfort food. Pair it with the Dorset crab. Perfect for dining before a show, the Ivy combines style, heritage, and a gently patriotic drinks list in the heart of London's theatre land. Other cool spots A growing number of top restaurants and hotels are embracing English wine with conviction. At Hide in Mayfair, owned by Hedonism Wines, diners enjoy access to one of the most expansive cellars in the country - everything in the Hedonism shop is available at the table, including their strong English selection. Meanwhile, in Covent Garden, La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels has a chic but casual vibe. It is known for an extensive, and frankly, exceptional curation of Champagne and Burgundy. Yet tucked among the French classics is a small but thoughtful English wine choice. Wiltshire's Domaine Hugo is the current fizz selection, and there is also a rather cool 'Many Moons' Chardonnay Pinot Blanc field blend from the clays soils of the Crouch Valley in Essex. So if you're feeling a bit provocative, you can pop in here for a cheese board and a few proud glasses of vins anglais. The Pig hotel group has also emerged as a champion of English wine, offering extensive and thoughtfully curated list across its various properties. At their South Downs site, the list features over 50 English wines, enhanced by knowledgeable input from the team. The Pig has even partnered with Sugrue South Downs to produce its own bottles - such as the 2018 Pig Reserve and Lobster Shed Pink Rosé - from a small vineyard parcel known as the Alpaca Block. With a dedicated 'Friends of The Pig' category, highlighting rising stars like Northbrook Springs and Bee Tree Vineyard, the group offers guests an immersive, vineyard-to-glass experience. Five recommendations for English sparkling wines Viticulture in the UK can be traced right back to day of Roman rule, with evidence suggesting a tradition of wine drinking that predates even that. The Domesday Book of 1086 records 42 vineyards across England and Wales and references 'Nitimbreha', the namesake of Sussex producer Nyetimber. While the practice of grape cultivation is far from new, the modern UK wine industry remains relatively young. Nonetheless, it is expanding steadily: there are now over 700 vineyards across Great Britain, with new plantings continuing each year. In 2019 alone, three million vines were added, bringing the total vineyard area to just over 3,800 hectares. Annual production remains highly variable, shaped by the challenges of a marginal climate—ranging from 5.9 million bottles in the frost-affected 2017 vintage to 15.6 million in the exceptional 2018 harvest. These fluctuations are a reminder that, however sophisticated the winemaking, vines remain subject to the same agricultural vulnerabilities as any other crop. Blanc de Blancs 2019 by Gusbourne Gusbourne's Blanc de Blancs 2019 is a pure expression of English Chardonnay, crafted exclusively from grapes grown on the estate's clay and chalk-rich vineyards in Kent and West Sussex. Produced only in selected vintages that offer both ripeness and precision, this wine is a benchmark for English elegance and finesse. The nose opens with notes of green apple, lemon zest, and white blossom, carried by a fine, persistent mousse. The palate is taut and focused, with crisp citrus, ripe pear, and hints of toasted brioche and crushed oyster shell. A saline edge and vibrant acidity drive a long, precise finish. With its clarity, poise, and ageing potential, Gusbourne's Blanc de Blancs 2019 is a standout among English sparkling wines. Tillington Single Vineyard 2016 by Nyetimber Nyetimber's Tillington Single Vineyard is a low-production cuvée made only in exceptional vintages, showcasing the distinctive character of one of England's most celebrated vineyard sites. Made predominantly from Pinot Noir (73%) with a touch of Chardonnay, and matured for nearly a decade, it is a true expression of place. Fine, elegant bubbles carry lifted aromas of raspberry, red apple skin, and rose petal. The palate is textured and refined, unfolding in layers of orange zest, raspberry, apricot, and marzipan, with opulent fruit and complex biscuit notes lingering on a long, mouth-watering finish. This is one of the finest English sparkling wines available today. English Brut Rose NV by Louis Pommery A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grown in the chalk rich soils of Hampshire, the Louis Pommery Brut Rosé is a beautifully quaffable cuvée. It's made at the Pinglestone Estate in New Alresford, where head Winemaker Will Perkins works in close collaboration with Clément Pierlot, Champagne Pommery's cellar master. This wine's charm lies in the bright notes of strawberry and citrus, while a fine mineral edge accompanies crisp, easy drinking freshness. Rose de Noirs 2016 by Ridgeview Ridgeview's Rosé de Noirs 2016 is a limited-release sparkling wine made using the saignée method from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, crafted only in exceptional vintages. It pours a distinctive peach-gold hue, with fine bubbles and fragrant aromas of redcurrant, summer berries, and honey. The palate is expressive and vibrant, offering bright notes of strawberry and cherry layered with hints of orange, cranberry, and delicate biscuit. A soft, creamy texture and rounded mouthfeel lead into a long, elegant finish. This is a poised and characterful English rosé sparkler that balances depth, freshness, and finesse. Pair it with strawberries and smoked salmon canapés. Pinot Noir Rosé Brut 2020 by Camel Valley Vineyard Camel Valley's 2020 Pinot Noir Rosé Brut is a beautifully balanced traditional method Cornish sparkling wine made from estate-grown Pinot Noir. Founded in 1989 by former RAF pilot Bob Lindo, and now a proud holder of a Royal Warrant, Camel Valley is one of the key references in English wine's success. The estate's rosé shows a delicate salmon-pink hue with fine, persistent bubbles and opens into fragrant aromas of strawberries, raspberries, and floral honey. On the palate, vibrant red fruits merge into a brioche-like richness, supported by crisp acidity and a soft mousse. Very easy to like and a charming summer party fizz. Bacchus grapes growing at Fox Hole Vineyard in West Sussex. London Cru Wines A new era for Bacchus What about still wines? Over the past decade, English wine producers have deepened their understanding of Bacchus, a grape once seen primarily as a workhorse for crisp, grassy whites. Through careful site selection, canopy management, and refined winemaking techniques, growers have learned how to coax more complexity and ripeness from this variety, even in England's marginal climate. The result? A new wave of peachy, aromatic Bacchus wines that retain their signature freshness but now show layers of ripe stone fruit, elderflower, and soft citrus. In warmer vintages, some expressions even flirt with the texture and perfume of a cool-climate Viognier, marking Bacchus not just as England's answer to Sauvignon Blanc, but as a grape with a voice of its own. Bacchus by London Cru (West Sussex): London Cru's Bacchus from Foxhole Vineyard is a vibrant, cool-climate expression of one of England's most promising white grapes. Grown on just 0.3 hectares of carefully tended vines in West Sussex, this limited-release wine (only 1,200 bottles made) delivers zesty aromas of grapefruit, candied lemon peel, and gooseberry, underpinned by subtle smoky notes. The palate is crisp and mouth-watering, with green apple, lime, and a whisper of oak adding creaminess and depth. Hand-harvested and gently vinified, it's both gastro friendly and dangerously quaffable - perfect with oysters. Bacchus by Three Choirs (Gloucestershire): A beautifully fresh, expressive Bacchus showcasing vibrant peach, lime, and subtle herbal notes. Crafted via cool fermentation with a touch of lees aging for extra complexity, it finishes crisp and clean. At around £16–19 per bottle, it's a refined yet accessible example that highlights the varietal's peachy charm 'Kit's Coty' Bacchus by Chapel Down (Kent): This wine offers a crisp and expressive take on Bacchus, with bright citrus, elderflower, and a clean mineral backbone. Produced in Kent, one of England's key wine regions, it captures the grape's aromatic charm while maintaining a refreshing clarity. Chapel Down's attention to detail in both vineyard and winery lends this Bacchus a polished, modern style. Bacchus by Lyme Bay Winery (Devon & Essex): A vibrant expression from fruit blended from both Devon and Essex, Lyme Bay's Bacchus offers lively green fruit and citrus flavours, with just enough ripeness to evoke peach and passionfruit notes. Has energy and depth, and those comforting notes of English hedgerow.
Daily Mail
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The best English wines – including a newcomer from M&S
English Wine Week is back – and continuing until next Sunday. It's a brilliant excuse to explore our ever-evolving homegrown scene – trawl for details of tastings, tours and events. To celebrate, I've picked four bottles that show just how diverse and exciting English wine has become. Sure, it can be more expensive – but the prices reflect a young, quality-driven industry that's all about craftsmanship over volume. Finest English Sparkling Rosé Brut NV (11.5%), £21.50, Tesco. From the heavyweight Balfour Winery, this fizz bursts with pink blossom and has a delicious saline finish. Taken with afternoon tea, it's a joy. Finest English Sparkling Rosé Brut NV £21.50 Shop English Orange Wine 2024 (11%), £15, M&S. Orange is everywhere this summer, and M&S 's lightly fragrant newcomer from Kent is ideal if you're curious about skin-contact styles but unsure where to start. Bowler & Brolly Pétillant Naturel (10.5%), £12.99, Aldi (in-store from 26 June). Yes, English Pet-Nat is coming to Aldi. Zesty with apple, it's lightly fizzy, low in alcohol and made to be sipped in the sunshine. Bowler & Brolly Pétillant Naturel £12.99 Shop Dear Noodles Rosé 2023 (12%), £24, sugruesouth Winemaker Dermot Sugrue's rosé is all about electrifying freshness. Named after the vineyard's beloved lurcher, it's a standout.
