Beyond the Big Three: The Lesser-Known Grapes Growing in England

If there’s one grape that represents English still wine today, it’s Bacchus. A cross of (Silvaner x Riesling) x Müller-Thurgau, Bacchus has found its home in the UK. According to WineGB, Bacchus is the most widely planted grape for still wine in England, accounting for around 10% of the total vineyard area.

Its naturally high acidity and aromatic profile make it perfect for England’s cool climate. Expect flavours of elderflower, grapefruit, and cut grass, often drawing comparisons to Sauvignon Blanc.

Try it from Trevibban Mill in Cornwall, who use Bacchus in their white blend Harlyn. A wine with bright acidity with notes of jasmine, elderflower, candyfloss and mint.

Originally from Germany, Ortega is a cross between Müller-Thurgau and Siegerrebe. It performs especially well in cooler climates and ripens earlier than many other grapes.

The result? Delicate, floral wines with notes of peach, apricot, and a gentle sweetness that doesn’t overwhelm. Ortega can also show surprising complexity when made with skin contact or aged slightly. Although still a niche grape, it’s winning fans among those looking for lower-alcohol, aromatic whites with finesse and a softer edge.

Try it from Tillingham in Sussex, who work with Ortega in both still and orange wine expressions, combining tradition with natural winemaking techniques.

Seyval Blanc has been part of the UK wine scene for decades. It’s a French hybrid grape that has long been valued for its reliability and resistance to disease.

Although less fashionable than some of its continental cousins, Seyval Blanc continues to play an important role in both still and sparkling wine production in England. It yields crisp, dry whites with notes of green apple, lime, and fresh herbs. Because it ripens early and can withstand tricky weather, it’s often one of the first picks for growers in marginal climates.

Try it from Breaky Bottom, one of the English Sparkling Wine pioneers who shades the spotlight on Seyval Blanc in their flagship cuvee.

With its roots in the Loire Valley, Madeleine Angevine is a grape that quietly shines in the English countryside. It ripens early, making it suitable for shorter growing seasons, and tends to produce light-bodied, floral wines with notes of citrus, melon, and soft spice.

Madeline Angevine doesn’t try to dominate the palate. Instead, it charms with elegance and grace, often finding a place in blends as well as single-varietal bottlings.

Try it from Sharpham Wine, whose Devon-based vineyards use Madeleine Angevine in their flagship white blend, Dart Valley Reserve.

Once a staple of English vineyards, Müller-Thurgau is a crossing of Riesling and Madeleine Royale. Though its popularity has waned, it still plays a role in many blends and offers light-bodied, crisp white wines with floral aromatics and gentle citrus notes.

Its ability to produce drinkable wines even in cooler, more difficult vintages means it’s still a valuable option for growers in less favourable sites.

Dornfelder, a German red grape variety, is one of the few that can reliably ripen in England’s marginal climate. Known for its deep colour and generous fruit profile, Dornfelder is being used to create light-bodied reds with notes of cherry, blackberry, and violet. Sometimes even with a touch of spice when oak-aged!

Though still relatively rare in the UK, this grape is ideal for those looking for a homegrown alternative to Beaujolais or lighter Pinot Noir. It thrives in slightly warmer vineyard sites and has shown promise as English reds gain momentum.

Try it from Trevibban Mill, whose Cornwall-based winery uses Dornfelder in their latest red blend, Cicero. A wine packed with cherries, blackberries, and sweet spice, with a hint of savoury notes and black pepper.

Rondo is a modern hybrid grape bred for cold climates and high disease resistance, making it a natural fit for English vineyards. Its early ripening and strong pigment mean it’s often used to add depth and colour to red blends, but some winemakers are beginning to bottle it on their own.

Expect juicy, vibrant reds with flavours of raspberry, cranberry, and a touch of earthiness. It’s one of the most cold-tolerant grapes grown in the UK and plays an important role in pushing the boundaries of what English red wine can be.

Regent is another modern hybrid that’s gaining ground in English vineyards. Developed in Germany in the 1960s, it is prized for its natural resistance to mildew and other vineyard diseases, making it a more sustainable choice for low-intervention viticulture.

The wines are typically medium to full-bodied with bold flavours of black cherry, plum, and spice. With its darker colour and firmer tannins, Regent offers a richer expression of English red wine, especially when oak-aged.

Try it from Tillingham, which uses Regent as the main varietal in their red blend (up to 71%!), Tillingham R. It showcases layers of red-berries, with light peppery tannins and low alcohol content, making it a perfect combination for a summer red. No wonder it is one of our best sellers!

These lesser-known grapes are helping diversify and define English still wine. They also represent a more stable future for many growers. As climate change continues to shift the growing conditions in the UK, having a broader selection of grapes increases resilience against unpredictable weather patterns.

From a consumer perspective, they offer UK wine lovers something different, not just an echo of France or New Zealand, but a flavour profile that is genuinely distinctive and local!

These lesser-known grapes are helping diversify and define English still wine. They also represent a more stable future for many growers. As climate change continues to shift the growing conditions in the UK, having a broader selection of grapes increases resilience against unpredictable weather patterns.

From a consumer perspective, they offer UK wine lovers something different, not just an echo of France or New Zealand, but a flavour profile that is genuinely distinctive and local!