They Make Wine There?! Great Britain

Britain, a land known for their hot tea, warm beer and cold weather is not a land normally associated with wine. Well, let me tell you, even if it’s not on the wine world’s radar, the cold country does in fact make the stuff. Until recently wine in Britain was a hobby for retired eccentric old women & men who fancy making wine and selling it at the local market along with their homemade honey and hand thatched baskets. Well that’s not the case any more! With the looming threat of global warming, UK wine might be the next big thing.

There has been wine in Britain since the time of the Romans. (As a general rule of thumb, if the Romans or Alexander the Great showed up there was wine.) But with the constant rain and overcast weather, wine never picked up like their neighbor, France. The lack of local vineyards didn’t bother the people of Great Britain though because after the Normans invaded England and the people got a taste for the French lifestyle they became happier to buy luxury goods from other countries. England in particular, always had a good relationship with the vineyards of France, it probably helped that both Kings Henry II and Richard the Lion Heart were rulers of the wine growing regions of France. Even through wars the practice of importing French wine to England never ceased. Both Champagne and Bordeaux Claret, aka Red Bordeaux, were bought in huge amounts.

So the UK had no need for vineyards especially for wine that didn’t hold a light to the wines of France or Italy. Thankfully however, wine pioneers saw Britain as a great place to grow vines, especially in the South of England with its chalky rich soils. What’s even better is that the change in weather patterns caused the country to become hotter, making it perfect for growing wine; or as the French would say the UK has good terroir.

In the South of England, only 30 miles away from France’s main land, people are making some amazing fizz which not only took on the Champagne region but beat them at big international wine tasting. This perked up the ears of the big houses in Champagne like a hound that picks up the scent of a rabbit. With the prospect that the South of England will become the same climate of Champagne in 5 years, huge amounts of land have been bought up by the big boys of Champagne. So in 10 years time the country’s of Kent, Suffolk, East & West Sussex might be covered in vines which go to make bottles like Dom Pérignon.

It’s not just the South East of England which is making wine Southwestern counties like Cornwell are also experimenting with wine. Further up North in Yorkshire they are making some extremely good sweet wine and in the West there is a vineyard in Wales which is home to some fantastic dry white wine. Although Wales does not pump out much wine a year, as it only has 17 vineyards, the bottles they are making can compete against any of the other big boys of Europe. So, all these different regions not only offer scones and jelly but also wine? Check out some of these bottles with your favorite Bangers and Mash, Sheppard’s Pie or Chicken Pot Pie.

2006 Denbies Redlands

Located in Surrey Denbies English Vineyard is the largest in the country and creates a wonderful bottle. This saucy and luscious red wine with a deep cherry color has a smooth mouthfeel and great berry flavors.

2006 Sedlescombe Regent

A friend of mine said this wine reminded him of a smoky jazz singer as it has a bold body and an oaky taste. Loaded with flavors of berry, currants and spice, a glass of this wine will have you swooning your own melodies and harmonies.

2007 Chapel Down Bacchus

Located in the South East, this wine is named for the Roman God of wine and is made up of wonderful flavors of limes and apples. Similar to other English wines it has an earthy body but a unique citrusy finish and goes best with lighter fare like fish and chips.

As I write this I am looking out my window over the rolling chalk fields of Oxfordshire thinking if I had spare millions to spend I would plant some Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay and make some Champagne style fizz. Ya never know, I might be the next Dom Ruinart.

Nic Conner works in the UK wine trade and hates three things: over priced wine, people buying wine because of the name and unnecessary pomp.