Chief of the Week: English Wine

By Claret Pimpernel

Published: 01 May, 2015

It may be a bit of a departure from our more traditional celebration of people in the wine and spirits industry that we choose to recognise English wines as this week's Chief of the Week. But with the enormous success of English Wine over the past year it is a great opportunity to raise a glass of British sparkling fizz to the growing number of producers and their success stories.

Upmarket retailer Waitrose, which is currently responsible for 60% of all English wines has reported this week that the sales of British wines increased 177% in the last week alone. Sales for 2014 are up an impressive 95% compared to 2013.

Equally producers like Gusbourne Plc this week also reported its earnings earlier this week which also saw sales up 54% for 2014 compared to 2013, another signal that British consumers are loving the locally produced fizz.

Kent wine producers Chapel Down also hailed 2014 as an 'excellent' year and saw a 21% rise in year-on-year sales.

May will be great opportunity for the trade and consumers to celebrate English wines as well.

On May 11 the English Wine Producers will be hosting their annual trade and press tasting. This tasting will have a record number of exhibitors from all over the UK.

English Wine Week 2015 English Wine Week 2015

A more consumer facing event, English Wine Week, is set to run on the 23rd- 31st of May, 2015, which will kick off at the annual tasting with advice for producers, retailers, restauranteurs, pub owners and hoteliers to help encourage consumers to try English wines and drive an increase in sales. As part of the English Wine Week, Waitrose, M&S and Laithwaites will be running special offers and promotions.

This week we raise a glass of English fizz to English wine- may your stars continue to rise.

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