English wine flourishes

Written by Eamonn Houston

Wednesday, 17 June 2009

English wine production is thriving with a 45% increase in vine planting over a four-year period, according to the latest figures.

Statistics from the Department of Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) show that there is now 1,106 hectares under vine in the UK, the highest ever recorded.

Vineyards are also showing a year-on-year increase in number since 2002 with the number now standing at 416.

Stephen Skelton MW, author of the UK Vineyards Guide, believes the real hectarage could be as high as 1,350.

"My own estimate is that the planted area in 2008 was nearer 1,250 ha," he said.

"At least 100 ha of vines were planted in 2009, bringing the grand total, as of the end of May 2009, to around 1,350 ha."

Pinot Noir accounts for 19% of the total hectarage (250ha) with Chardonnay accounting for 17% of planting. Bacchus – the aromatic varietal - comes in third with 10%of total planting.

"The "top 10" of plantings shows that sparkling varieties (I have included all Pinot Noir as sparkling) at 540 ha account for 40% of all UK plantings and have risen significantly over the 6 years since the hot summer of 2003 from 85 ha," added Skelton.

The news follows a week-long promotional campaign by the UK wine industry.