English Wine Week kicks off across the trade

By Erin Smith

Published: 27 May, 2014

English Wine Week kicked off over the bank holiday on Saturday and will be celebrating English Wine across the country all week long with several high street retailers, independent merchants and the on-trade promoting "locally" produced wines.

English Wine Week celebrates the country's winemaking culture with a host of activities across all channels that runs from May 24 to June 1. The promotion is led by the English Wine Producers, which is funded by independent member winemakers.

Julia Trustman Eve, marketing director for the EWP said: "There really is such a buzz around English wines right now. English Wine Week is going brilliantly well. I am overwhelmed by the support and uptake from the trade this year. From retailers like Waitrose and Laithwaite's to independent merchants and particularly the on-trade, everyone across the trade has really embraced it. "

Waitrose is highlighting English wines in store and is offering online discounts on sales of some of the top selling English wines, as well as tastings at selected stores such as Buxton and Bluewater. Online Waitrose Cellar has a Discover English & Welsh Wine section as well as information about local producers. Becky Hull MW, wine buyer for English and Welsh wines at Waitrose said: "If you haven't been bitten by the UK wine bug, then now is the time to throw your inhibitions to the wine and give home grown a try."

Laithwaite's will also be promoting English wines in its stores and online. Its website offers an additional 10% discount for several different English producers.

English wines have been rising in quality and popularity in recent years. Most recently, English wine producers were awarded a record five International Wine Challenge gold medals and two trophies.

"The trade has been so responsive and there is a lot of chatter this week surrounding the events, tastings and activities helping to promote English wines. Rising high from this week, I am so pleased that we will be heading to London Wine Fair, with five of our producers," said Trustram-Eve.

English Wine Producers will be exhibiting on their own stand (G92) at London Wine Fair next week.

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