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France is perhaps the first country that comes to mind when you think of wine, with its dry whites from the Loire Valley and deep reds from Bordeaux. But, just across the pond, there is a plethora of British vineyards producing courageous wines.
Although Britain has a cooler climate than France, the new “terroirs” are particularly suited to white and sparkling wines, as red wines generally require a warmer temperature. Whites and sparkling wines also need sustained acidity and grapes with low sugar content, which can be produced in colder regions.
Here are five of Britain’s best wineries.
5. Breaky Fund, Sussex
For a crunchy and refreshing sparkling white wine, head to the south of England. Winemaker Peter Hall planted his vineyard in 1974 in a secluded stretch of the Sussex Downs. He chose the region because he saw the potential offered by a climate close to that of Champagne and the Loire.
Hall grew up with French flavors as he had a Franco-Italian mother and his French grandfather was a leading restaurateur in Soho.
The land includes just six acres of vineyards in the South Downs National Park and about two miles from the English Channel.
Hall says he typically produces 10,000 bottles a year, but admits there are years when floods and even pheasants killed an entire crop.
4. Nyetimber, Sussex
This English gem is also located in the South Downs in West Sussex. The 640 acre Nyetimber estate dates back to the Domesday Book. The previous owners planted the first vines over 30 years ago. Current owner Eric Heerma hired winemakers in 2006 to produce elegant, award-winning sparkling wines.
The chief winemaker, Cherie Spriggs, won the International Wine Challenge in 2018. It was the first time that the prize was won by a woman and by a winemaker outside of Champagne.
3. Llanerch vineyard, Wales
Welsh wines also deserve a mention and are often considered the UK’s best kept secret. Wales is also experiencing a vineyard boom and there are around 30 of them.
Recently, Welsh wines won six medals at the International Wine Challenge Awards.
Llanerch is one of the best wineries in the region. Located in the Vale of Glamorgan near Cardiff, the vineyard has been producing award-winning wines since 1986.
The vineyard offers tours and has five wines in total. A sparkling Brut, a sparkling Blush, a slightly sweet Rosé, a dry white and a semi-dry white.
There is a lot to choose from and you can book a vineyard tour to taste them all.
2. Bolney, Sussex
If red wine is more to your liking, look no further than Bolney Vineyard. It produces a light and fragrant Pinot Noir as well as a sparkling red Cuvée Noir. It also serves a crunchy chardonnay.
The winery was founded in 1972 and is one of the oldest in England. Bolney started with the white grape but now has nine variations of red and white grapes.
The vineyard claims to have the perfect soil, which is mostly Upper Tunbridge Wells Sand, which provides good heat retention a necessity for red wines.
1. Valley of the Camels, Cornwall
Located in the sunny South West of England, Camel Valley has been producing award-winning wines since 1989. The vineyard sits on the sunny slopes near the River Camel, which produce the perfect varietal suited to the soil’s climate.
Wine is not only popular in England, but is also exported to Japan.
The vineyard is renowned for its Brut ‘Cornwall’ and Pinot Noir Rosé Brut but also produces white and rosé.
As a guest you can take a tour of the vineyard or just enjoy a drink or two on their picturesque terrace.
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