English Wine Week 2023
21st June 2023
21st June 2023
English Wine Week takes place from 19th to 25th June this year. From supermarkets to pubs and independent wine merchants to restaurants, it is the perfect time to enjoy the vast array of English wines on offer at a variety of venues.
Enthusiasm for English Wine has escalated over the past couple of years as retailers report exponential growth in the sales of English and Welsh wines. More consumers opted to ‘shop local’ during the pandemic, with the trend continuing subsequently.
Recent industry figures reveal that sales of English and Welsh wines have increased by around 30% over the past few years, showing the ever-growing thirst for home-grown wines amongst wine lovers. This has been further boosted by the boom in wine tourism and an increasing number of consumers buying direct from the winery, either online or at the ‘cellar door’.
Industry data also shows that nearly 2,000 hectares of vines have been planted in the last 5 years, doubling hectarage over that time, making wine production one of the fastest-growing agricultural sectors in the UK.
The popularity of English wines is reflected through the retail sector too. Multiple retailers have reported a huge growth in sales with specialist retailer Majestic reporting a 99% growth in still wines, and The Wine Society saw its sales increase by 200%. Independent wine shops are also seeing the benefits as consumers shop local.
With travel restrictions, the cost of living crisis and other issues causing problems over recent times, the UK wine industry has also seen a rise in wine tourism; there are over 700 vineyards in Britain today with many open to the public offering a range of experiences.
With the summer holidays approaching, visiting vineyards is set to be highly popular, particularly as many are located in tourism hotspots and the appetite for local food and drink is ever increasing.
Wines of Great Britain CEO, Simon Thorpe MW, comments: “There is a real buzz around the Great British wine industry and this sales growth points very clearly to an ever-increasing love affair between British wine drinkers and their local vineyards and the pride we have in our own food and drink. There is also such genuine support and commitment from retailers and the on-trade to our producers as they inspire their customers with an ever more accessible choice of wines from the UK.”
Simon adds: “This industry boasts great wines to fantastic visitor experiences. We can be rightfully proud as we celebrate this great British success story. Our keen message to wine drinkers across the country is that our wines are readily available and ready to be enjoyed!”
The Pantiles’ bars and restaurants have a fantastic selection of great English wines to enjoy during English Wine Week, including:
The epitome of an English Rose, Chapel Down English Rose 2020 is delicate and feminine. A classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Blanc, this delicate rosé sparkling wine has aromas of redcurrant, strawberry and rosehip.
Chapel Down is England’s leading wine producer and one of the UK’s most exciting drinks companies. Produced in Kent, Chapel Down offers a world-class range of sparkling and still wines. Located in Tenterden, in the heart of the Kent countryside, the Chapel Down winery is open to the public throughout the year.
This sparkling wine is produced by the Rathfinny Wine Estate in Sussex. It is a family-owned estate established in 201 by Mark and Sarah Driver. Located on a wonderful south-facing slope in England’s South Downs, the climate, chalk soil and aspect make it the perfect site for wine. The Rathfinnhy Classic Cuvee 2017 is made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. This wine has 65 mentions of tree fruit notes (apple).
Kentish Sparkling wine has become one of our counties great products, with some fabulous wineries local to Sankey’s at The Pantiles. No more local than Squerryes in Westerham. The stunning Garden of England provides the perfect environment to grow the grapes needed to make these superb wines right on our doorstep.
Squerryes 2016 Vintage Rosé is 57% Pinot Noir and 43% Meunier, having had 36 months ageing in the bottle on the lees. This rosé has a fresh nose bursting with summer berries, with lively ripe strawberry and crisp redcurrant fruit on the palate and a lingering finish.
However you choose to celebrate English Wine Week, always drink responsibly.