Wine Countries & Regions
England
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England
The new era of viticulture
The UK wine industry has entered a thrilling new era. As of 2024, there are 1,030 commercial vineyards across England and Wales, marking a 9% growth in vineyard numbers year-on-year. This rapid expansion has propelled vineyard area to over 4,200 hectares—a 123% increase in just a decade!
Sparkling wine continues to dominate the scene, accounting for around 76% of total production. Meanwhile, still wine production has also grown significantly, increasing 117% since 2018. With increasing investment, global recognition, and a supportive regulatory climate, the UK is experiencing a golden age of viticulture that shows no signs of slowing.
Regions
Top UK Wine Regions
1. Sussex
The heartland of English Sparkling Wine, Sussex benefits from chalky soils and a mild climate. It’s home to top producers like Dermot Sugrue, Nyetimber and Ridgeview, with many wines rivalling Champagne in quality.
2. Kent
Often called the “Garden of England,” Kent’s south-facing slopes and chalk-clay terroir are perfect for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Producers like Gusbourne and Chapel Down lead the region.
3. Hampshire
Known for its flinty soils and cooler microclimate, Hampshire produces elegant sparkling wines with vibrant acidity. Hattingley Valley and Exton Park are standout estates.
4. Surrey
Just a short drive from London, Surrey boasts one of the UK’s most iconic vineyards: Denbies. It’s particularly respected for its sparkling rosé and aromatic still whites like Bacchus.
5. Cornwall
Though smaller in scale, Cornwall offers a milder, maritime climate that produces beautifully crisp, aromatic whites. Camel Valley is a pioneer here, with award-winning still and sparkling wines.
History
A Brief History of American Wine
Roman Era (43 BC–410 AD)
The first vineyards in Britain were planted during the Roman occupation, beginning around 43 BC. Archaeological papers show vineyards in areas such as South Downs, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Buckinghamshire, and Cambridgeshire. While early British wines were likely simple and consumed quickly, these vineyards marked the birth of native wine production on the island.
Middle Ages & Norman Period (5th–15th centuries)
After the Romans left, vineyard cultivation dwindled until the Christian monasteries revived it in the 9th and 10th centuries. By 1086, the Domesday Book recorded roughly 42 vineyards across England and Wales, many tied to religious houses. But from the onset of the Little Ice Age through the Black Death (c. 1340) and Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries (1536), viticulture declined sharply.
Post-Medieval Decline & Nineteenth Century
Following the dissolution, monastic vineyards disappeared, and remaining winemaking efforts, like those at Castell Coch in the 19th century, remained experimental. The Napoleonic Wars and cheaper imports from France further suppressed local production. By the early 20th century, vineyards were nearly extinct, with only sporadic plantings in private greenhouses.
Twentieth-Century Revival (1946–1960s)
The revival began in 1946 with the Oxted Viticultural Research Station testing 600 grape varieties. In 1952, Sir Guy Salisbury-Jones planted Seyval Blanc at Hambledon Vineyard in Hampshire, the first commercial vineyard since medieval times and sold its first bottles in 1954. By the 1960s, more small producers emerged across Sussex, Kent, Surrey, and Somerset.
Modern Era & Sparkling Wine Boom
The 21st century has seen the UK wine industry flourish. Today, over 1,000 registered vineyards and 200+ wineries span southern England and Wales. Sparkling wine now dominates, comprising around 76% of total output, many vintners are producing high-quality traditional method sparkling wines that rival Champagne. Sussex alone holds a PDO and accounts for 28% of UK wine production.
A Golden Age for UK Wine
With increasing investment, sustainable vineyard practices, and climatic suitability, the UK is in the midst of a golden age of viticulture. UK wines are earning international awards, domestic consumption is strong, and sparkling producers are gaining global recognition. Supported by renowned Champagne houses like Taittinger and Pommery, who own English sites, the UK’s wine scene is both thriving and poised for further growth.
Grape Varieties
Top 10 Grape Varieties in the UK ranked by Commercial Prominence
Chardonnay
The UK’s most planted grape, and the backbone of its award-winning sparkling wines. It thrives in the cool, chalky soils of Sussex and Kent, offering crisp acidity and citrus-driven profiles.
Pinot Noir
A key component in English sparkling blends, Pinot Noir also produces elegant, light-bodied still reds and rosés. It benefits from England’s long growing season and increasingly warm summers.
Pinot Meunier
Often the quiet third partner in the classic Champagne trio, this grape performs well in cooler climates and adds roundness and fruit to sparkling blends.
Bacchus
Sometimes called “the Sauvignon Blanc of England,” Bacchus is the UK’s flagship still white grape. It delivers zesty, aromatic wines with notes of elderflower, gooseberry, and hedgerow.
Seyval Blanc
One of the earliest hybrid grapes to gain traction in the UK. It’s prized for its reliability in marginal climates and is used in both still and sparkling wines, often with a crisp, citrusy finish.
Ortega
A German cross that ripens early and is well-suited to England’s climate. Ortega produces floral, medium-bodied whites, sometimes with a touch of sweetness.
Reichensteiner
Another cold-hardy variety from Germany, Reichensteiner is commonly used in blends for sparkling wines. Its high yields and subtle profile make it a useful workhorse grape.
Madeleine Angevine
Popular in the southwest and Wales, Madeleine Angevine is an early ripener that yields fresh, floral wines with moderate alcohol and bright acidity.
Rondo
A red hybrid grape is known for its deep colour and resistance to disease. Rondo is used for both still reds and rosés in cooler areas where vinifera reds can be tricky.
Solaris
A newer hybrid gaining popularity, especially in Wales and cooler regions. Solaris ripens early and can produce aromatic whites with tropical notes, even in tough vintages.
Fun Fact: Bacchus may be named after the Roman god of wine, but it’s actually a 20th-century German cross (Silvaner × Riesling × Müller-Thurgau). Today, some of the UK’s most awarded still wines are made entirely from Bacchus grapes.
Classification System
While the UK doesn’t (yet) have a tiered classification system as rigid or historic as France’s AOC or Spain’s DO, it has taken significant steps toward quality assurance and regional identity, particularly in sparkling wine.
Great British Classic Method
A PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) introduced to safeguard traditional-method sparkling wine made in England and Wales.
To qualify, producers must:
- Use grapes grown in England or Wales
- Produce wine using traditional bottle fermentation (traditional method)
- Age the wine on lees before release for enhanced complexity
This PDO acts as a mark of authenticity, ensuring what’s on the label is genuinely reflected in the glass. The Great British Classic Method also represents the culmination of decades of progress by English producers, now consistently winning international awards and blind tastings.
Sussex PDO
In 2022, Sussex PDO became the UK’s first PDO for a single county.
PDO requirements
- Wines made with the traditional method
- Can only use Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grown in East and West Sussex.
- Minimum lees ageing is 15 months
- Yields are strictly capped at 12 tonnes per hectare under normal conditions
WineGB (Wines of Great Britain)
A national trade association for English and Welsh wine which leads the charge to promote, support, and certify British wines domestically and abroad. It manages PDO/PGI registrations, lobbies for viticultural legislation, and supports research and innovation across the industry.
In line with growing environmental concerns, WineGB also introduced the Sustainable Wines of Great Britain (SWGB) certification—a sustainability benchmark now adopted by many top UK producers. To achieve SWGB status, wineries must:
- Protect vineyard soils and promote biodiversity
- Minimise synthetic inputs like pesticides and fertilizers
- Conserve water and energy and reduce their carbon footprint
- Undergo independent auditing and data collection
This evolving classification landscape reflects how far British wine has come—not just in quality, but in its commitment to integrity, sustainability, and transparency.
For more info check Sustainability Certification Mark – WINEGB
Producers
At Wanderlust Wine, we pride ourselves on working with some of the most exciting and respected English wine producers that helped put English wines on the global wine map.
