It would be hard to ignore the revolution that has taken place in British winemaking in recent years. Although the Romans planted vineyards in England, winemaking later became a minority interest, mostly confined to monasteries or aristocratic estates. But now there are more than 600 vineyards in England and Wales, many of them producing award winning wines.
Most of these vineyards are small and free from mass commercialisation, and winemaking is still the province of enthusiasts. This means that now is a good time to visit British vineyards. To help you in your quest Stewart Wilde has written Sparkling Wine: Vineyards of England and Wales, a description of more than 50 wineries that produce sparkling wines.
Vineyards in England and Wales
The book begins with a brief introduction and a description of sparkling wine grape varieties. Then it lists details of some of the vineyards in England and Wales that produce sparkling wines (most, although not all, of these are in the southern part of the country, where the climate is more suited to grape growing),
Each entry includes everything you need to know for visiting, with details of visiting times and locations. There is factual information about terrain and aspect, and the wines produced, together with tasting notes.
Wine and Winemakers
But this is not just a handbook. Each entry has a short account of the history of the vineyard and of the people associated with it – the owners, the winemakers, and the awards they have won. There are some interesting snippets. I was fascinated to learn that the Wroxeter Roman winery in Shropshire may have “taken root on the site of a Roman vineyard”. And that rosé from Hush Heath Estate in Kent “has been served to first-class flyers with British Airways and passengers aboard the Orient Express”.
Some of the vineyards listed also have restaurants or accommodation. Of course, they all have wine for sale, and often locally produced cider and other products. Sparkling Wine is perfect for planning a wine-themed holiday. Or just for exploring your local area.
Sparkling Wine: The Vineyards of England and Wales, Stewart Wilde, ACC Art Books, 2019, 9781851499052
