English Wines

Courtesy of Chapel Down

If you feel patriotism stirring as the Queen's Diamond Jubliee approaches, why not add a sparkle to your celebrations with a glass of one of our home-grown wines? Bursting with zesty, fruity flavours, they are perfect for summer.

Over the last few years, the English wineries have upped their ante. Fizzes from houses such as Nyetimber, Ridgeview , Chapel Down and Camel Valley have become far more sophisticated, making them a good alternative to average champagnes. It helps that southern England has a climate and chalky soils similar to those of France’s Champagne region.  

The 300-year-old wine and spirit merchant, Berry Bros.& Rudd knows a thing or two about the subject. It first supplied wine to the Royal Family during the reign of George III and continues to do so. According to the company, 2011 was a record year, for English wines with sales up 50 per cent by value and 25 per cent by volume on 2010.

Courtesy of Chapel Down

“2011 was the year that the vicious cycle has been broken,” says Simon Field, English wines buyer at Berry Bros. & Rudd. “Makers are creating far higher quality wines, which has meant that retailers can put more English wine on their shelves and that consumers have a better and wider choice of wines available – and with stronger sales, there is more for makers to invest. The cycle has become a virtuous one this year and we expect that to continue in 2012.”

It’s a trend that Waitrose, also a Royal Warrant holder, noticed. The company says that English wines have, with recent vintages, enhanced their reputation. Noted for their fresh, aromatic styles, these wines also tend to have a lower alcohol content than those from hotter climates, making them the ideal drink for warm, sunny weather.

“The trick for English makers over the coming years, however, will be to make their wines a bit more attainable when it comes to pricing,” says Simon. “That should result from higher volumes and stronger sales, but the truth remains that, while they compare favourably with wines from across the world, English wines remain a premium product and, if they are to break into mainstream and gain a bigger following, producers will need to find ways of bringing prices at the checkout down.”

Here are some recommendations.

Chapel Down, 2004 Pinot Reserve Brut, Kent, £23.95, bbr.com
Made in the traditional méthode champenoise, this bubbly has a high proportion of pinot noir grapes, giving it a rich and fruity flavour with just the right amount of crispness.

Ridgeview Cuvée Merret Bloomsbury 2009 West Sussex, England, Sparkling Wine  £22.99 to £18.29 until 29 May, Waitrose
Packed with fresh fruit flavours and hints of biscuit, this racy and refreshing fizz is made using the classic champagne grape varieties. It’s a great buy.  

Nyetimber Classic Cuvée Vintage 2006 West Sussex, England, Sparkling Wine £29.99 to £22.49 until 29 May, Waitrose
This sparkler, made in the same way as champagne, explodes with citrusy tangs. It is hailed as one of England’s best wines. 

Wickham Vineyards Vintage Selection Dry White, Hampshire, England, £10.75,.bbr.com

As you open the bottle, aromas of newly-mown grass greet you. The chalky, floral flavours are similar to a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc but with an English twist.

Three Choirs Annum 2011 Gloucestershire, England, 20% off, £8.99 - £7.19 until 29 May, Waitrose
A collaboration between Three Choirs and Waitrose, this exclusive blend of five locally-grown grape varieties, is fresh and crisp, yet well-balanced. Ideal with seafood and chicken.

By Daralyn Danns