Why English wine scene is cause for celebration

Raise a glass to English Wine Week, and what promises to be a goldmine for wine lovers, says Sam Wylie-Harris

- Sam Wylie-Harris

WHETHER you're a wine enthusiast, fizz fanatic or your wanderlust only takes you as far as the closest vineyard for a tour and tasting, it’s hard to keep up with England’s dynamic wine scene.

With world-class sparkling wine to rival champagne, more than 1.5 million vineyard visits made in 2023, and a 55% increase in visitor numbers since 2022, wine tourism is soaring... and the sky’s the limit.

Moreover, sales figures for English and Welsh wine in the past five years are strong, says Nicola Bates, CEO of WineGB.

“With a significant increase from 3.3 million bottles in 2018, to 8.8 million in 2023, which is a massive jump,” says Ms Bates

And therefore, people’s visibility of the product is much, much higher, she says. “People are buying because you know you're getting a quality product. And retailers know they can work with a brand, that constant flow of wines and consistent quality.