English bumper crop highlights capacity conundrum

A bumper crop has led to winemakers turning down grapes from growers, highlighting English wine’s capacity conundrum: there’s an insufficient number of wineries to produce wine from the exponential growth of vineyards.

Vranken-Pommery tests the waters of vine density in English ‘trials’

Vranken-Pommery’s English wine ‘trials’ at its Pinglestone Estate in Hampshire could prompt viticulture changes in Champagne, the house has said, with Pinglestone being used as a ‘laboratory’ where findings on lowering vine density could be taken across the Channel.

Nyetimber predicts record-breaking UK sparkling crop in 2022

Sparkling wine brand Nyetimber is poised to harvest a record area of vines – 325 hectares – to produce well over one million bottles of fizz from vintage 2022.

English wine comes of age at the UK’s wine ‘BAFTAs’

English and Welsh wine appears to have entered a new era of maturity, as ‘newcomers’ to the scene continue to rake in accolades alongside more established names.

Chapel Down announces new cricket partnership

UK wine brand Chapel Down has been welcomed into the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) as its official sparkling wine.

Five minutes with Alex Hurley, London Cru

Jo Gilbert talks to the English wine innovator about how the past two years have helped to super-charge the category via London Cru, the Roberson Wines-owned urban winery.

Nyetimber announces record year as estate leads the way for English sparkling

The UK’s leading English sparkling wine brand, Nyetimber, enjoyed a record year in 2021 in both sales and production. Following its largest ever harvest, Nyetimber’s UK sales increased by 55% on the previous year. Situated in the south of England, the 30-year-old winemakers saw sales in Europe grow by a whopping 89%.

Alliance Wine expands portfolio with new sparkling wine agency

West Sussex-based Roebuck Estates has become the latest producer to join the Alliance Wine collection of premium brands.

Bancroft welcomes new English wine agency

UK distributor Bancroft has expanded its English wine portfolio with the addition of Lyme Bay Winery.

Bolney Wine Estate acquired by major international

Sussex-based Bolney Wine Estate has been sold to sparkling wine behemoth Henkell-Freixenet via Freixenet Copestick in the UK.

Five minutes with Matt Hodgson, Grape Britannia

Matt Hodgson, founder of English wine specialist Grape Britannia, says the time has arrived to look beyond fizz to the UK’s homegrown still gems.

Chapel Down makes changes to executive leadership team

Chapel Down, the Kent-based English wine producer, has announced further changes to its senior team which it said would make further strides towards its vision to be the “number one and most celebrated English winemaker”.

English sparkling triumphs at Vivino Community Awards

Vivino’s 2021 Community Awards has revealed some fascinating insights into the preferences of consumers worldwide, including the enormous popularity of English fizz in the UK.

English fizz's bawdy move

A month or so ago, I attended two eye-catching, if very different, launches. Both were from Bibendum Wine: the UK debut of former Dom Pérignon chef de cave Richard Geoffroy’s sake; and an unorthodox new English sparkling wine, with the charming name Harlot.

Nyetimber unveiled as wine producer of the year

Nyetimber was unveiled as Wine Producer of the Year in the first-ever Tim Atkin MW England Special Wine Report.

English wine pushing for success

The pandemic has been a catalyst for sales of English and Welsh wine at home and abroad, accelerating a sector that was already on its way to great things. How to keep up momentum is the question, writes Jo Gilbert. 

Frazer Thompson steps down from Chapel Down

Chapel Down has announced its succession plan after it was revealed that current CEO Frazer Thompson will be stepping down from the role after 20 years.

English Wine Week anticipation ramps up with Hattingley limited run

Hattingley Valley has announced the release of two new small batch wines in celebration of English Wine Week (EWW) – just one of many celebrations and promotional activities which are due to begin this Saturday.

The life aquatic for English wine

Wales comes out top as “most sophisticated” UK wine nation

When it comes to buying wine, the Welsh are the most sophisticated while the English hunt for a bargain, according to data which aims to map the buying behaviours of UK drinkers.