It's English Wine Week! We sat down with Robin James, Head of Customer Experience at Mr Wheeler Wines, to learn all things English Wine.

When you think of great vineyards and wines the first place to come to mind probably isn’t England. The iconic vineyards in France, Spain and Germany have long been front runners in European winemaking – however, English wine has seen a surge in popularity in recent years. A mix of better weather and the discovery that the powdery limestone soil of the southern English countryside was the same as that of the Champagne region, has meant that England harbours the perfect conditions to grow some of the best grape varieties.

2023 saw the largest yield ever for English Winemakers. A whopping 20-22 million bottles (up 60% from the year before) of English wine were produced with a huge 30,000 total tonnes of grapes harvested. Wine GB’s 2023 report noted that “2023 will undoubtedly be remembered as a near perfect year.”. With high yields and higher quality improving every year, the future of English Wine is just as bright as it is delicious.

English Wine Week takes place at the start of Summer and is a national campaign to promote English Wine and the amazing vineyards across the UK. We sat down with Robin James, Head of Customer Experience, at Wheeler Wines - who specialise in sourcing and supplying world-class wines - to learn a bit more about English Wine and why it matters so much in 2024.

2018 was a milestone for English Wine due to the sunny English weather and really started the rise in English wine we’re seeing today. Why do you think English Wine has seen such a rise in popularity enough for there to be an English Wine Week?

The UK consumer is becoming ever more conscious of where their food and drink comes from, and the carbon footprint involved in importing from overseas. With the added impact of additional red tape and extra costs in shipping following the UK’s exit from the single European market along pushing the price of European wines up and with the significant improvement in quality, English wines are becoming more and more of an attractive proposition.

?Have you noticed any trends in terms of English wine?

The Sparkling producers buoyed by an ever more appreciative consumer and more and more international recognition have begun to make even more prestigious wines. [This is] best highlighted by Nyetimber’s 1086 Premium Cuvee, at a RRP of over ￡150 a bottle which is competing alongside the iconic top wines of Champagne such as Krug & Dom Perignon.

What are the key characteristics that distinguish English wines from those produced in the more classic regions of France/Germany etc?

The English climate is still quite different to many of the warmer regions of France and as such the reds in particular are notably lighter in style and worth noting alcohol. The whites are also lighter too and predominately unoaked. Acidity levels in all wines is still naturally good. While they share a much more similar climate to Germany the trend in England is to produce dry wines whereas many of the German whites are still more likely to be sweeter.

What should consumers look for when buying English wine to ensure they’re getting a quality product?

Outside of the big UK sparkling brands, most English wine is still sold locally either at the cellar door or at local merchants. At the cellar door you should be able to try before you buy, but otherwise purchasing from a knowledgeable independent wine merchant is usually the best way to ensure you’re getting something pretty good.

Do you see any future trends for the English wine industry?

The industry is still hugely dominated by fizz, however more quality still wines, in particular roses, are starting to appear as the UK consumer starts to take more notice. The international varieties of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are now dominating both production and new plantings, while the lesser-known early ripening Germanic varieties that used to be the main varieties grown in the UK such as Müller-Thurgau, Dornfelder and Huxelrebe becoming less and less common and this is a pattern I fully expect to continue. The one exception being the white grape Bacchus that has become THE English grape.

What are some food pairings that go particularly well with English wines?

Probably the best match, certainly when it comes to the sparklers, is good old traditional English fish and chips. The fresh acidity cuts through the batter beautifully and the citrusy zing acts like a squeeze of lemon over the top. The still whites will also go well with a fresh salad or creamy risotto.

What is the significance of English Wine Week, and how does it help promote the industry?

Anything that highlights the qualities of English wine and helps bring new wine drinkers to the English wine market helps promote the industry is a good thing, which in turn increases investment into new plantings and ultimate leads to ever better wine quality

Robin's Favourites: