English White Wine has become extremely popular in the past few years. There has been a sharp increase in vineyard planting in England and sales have been higher than ever. Although English wines are not cheap, they are generally high in quality. International tastings have recently recognised the quality of English White wines with a sparkling wine being named the best in the World, beating even French Champagnes in blind testing. English Wine Week is celebrated annually in England. During this week English wines are tasted, celebrated and special local events are put on to promote the wines
History of English Wines
The Romans first brought vines to England, the climate was warmer then and the conditions much more suitable for wine making. However, when the vikings invaded, vineyards were destroyed. Although there were some reported vineyards later on, the climate declined during the middle ages and wine production ceased. There was little production of wine in England until after the second world war making English wine production a fairly modern phenomenon. Vineyards in the country increased very rapidly throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s and English white wines have now finally begun to make a big impact on the international scene.
Soil and Climate Conditions
The English climate and soil types do dictate to some extent the types of wine that can be grown in the country. The black grape is much more difficult to grow requiring a warmer climate meaning most of the wine produced is white. However, the climate is sufficient to allow for high quality sparkling wines to be produced. These wines have a distinctly English taste, a crisp white within England there are some highly distinct microclimates and soil types leading to a range of varietals grown. This diversity has led, in part, to the success of the English white wine industry.
Types of English White Wine
English sparkling wine is the most popular of the English white wines. However, English still white wine is also high in quality and is showing signs of gaining popularity despite its past troubles in the marketplace. Although English white wines vary they do have some features in common. They tend to be fruit driven with a crisp fresh taste. England’s finest wine can be found in some selected supermarkets such as Waitrose and with independent wine merchants. Many are happy for you to come to the vineyard and taste the wines before you commit to buying them. This open door policy has particular appeal to many wine enthusiasts as you are able to meet the wine merchant himself and get an idea how your wine is made. This friendly personal way of buying wine is extremely popular.
English Grape Varieties
There are many different grape varietals used in English Winemaking. Grapes originating in Germany are very popular as they are suited to the English climate. Bacchus is one of the most commonly used grapes, this is also heavily used in German wines. This is one of the most successful grape varietals in England, it has a fairly high sugar content and has a very distinctive aroma making some fantastic wines. Another popular grape used in English white wine is Chardonnay. This is used in most quality sparkling wines, it is also used for some still wines. Another common grape is Huxelrebe. This varietal is also found in Germany and has a relatively high sugar content. The resultant wines are extremely fruity and have a very popular taste.
English Vine Tours
There are many vineyards in England, over 300 in total. Most of these vineyards are in the South of England in regions such as Surrey, Devon and Cornwall, however, there are vineyards in regions as North as Yorkshire. Many of these vineyards accept visitors and some offer wine tasting events, let you have picnics on the grounds, or have a look around the vineyard. Often the biggest vineyards hold organised vine tours which are often very highly regarded. This gives you a chance to see how the wine is made, try often high quality English wine and have a great day out. It is often recommended to book a tour by prior arrangement as many vineyards cannot guarantee they will have time on the day.
In summary, English White Wines are growing in popularity day by day and have recently gained international recognition for their quality. Although England does not have a long tradition of successful wine making like some other countries, vineyards are now springing up all over the country. The soil and climate conditions mean that these wines are often fairly diverse and interesting and should definitely not be underestimated.
