The English Wine Boom
English wine now takes pride of place on wine lists across the UK; no longer seen as an esoteric choice, but rather a mainstream tipple. This comes with the increase of production, vineyards, and consumer knowledge. With the help of our inhouse insights team, we have investigated the increase in consumption and what鈥檚 driving this boom. Plus, we asked our sales team what they're drinking for English Wine Week.
Still or sparkling, English wine has well and truly begun its domination of the UK On Trade. In the last year* 57,326.7 nine litre cases of wines from the UK were sold in the GB On Trade, generating over 拢29 million in value sales. Sparkling wine still leads this growth, as it becomes the second-most popular fizz in the On Trade after prosecco 鈥� 36,502.2 nine litre cases of sparkling wines were sold in that same year period. It accounts for 2.3% of the sparkling wine volumes in the On Trade and is one of the few sparkling wine origins to see year-on-year growth, up 14.1% from the previous year.
This growth is driven largely by the increase of production, but we also have the surge of UK wine tourism to thank. In 2023, 1,030 vineyards covered 4,209ha across the UK; a figure that has continued to grow in the years since. In that year alone, there were 221 wineries across the country 鈥� an increase of 21 from the previous year. And now that they're only a train ride away, people are flocking to the vines. 2023 saw 1.5 million visits to UK vineyards or wineries, a 55% increase from 2022. In a survey conducted by WineGB, 60% of wineries asked expected a 20% growth in visitor numbers over the next five years. As wine tourism in the UK strengthens, so does the familiarity and affinity to homegrown wines. After all, there鈥檚 no better way to become acquainted with a wine than tasting it at the source.
Top picks for English Wine
English wine is here to stay; time to get to know what鈥檚 out there. We asked the 黑料网 Sales team what wines they鈥檒l be cracking into this English Wine Week 2025鈥�
Catherine Richards:
鈥淚鈥檓 always on the look out for a good chillable red, and from Balfour Winery in Kent hits the spot. It鈥檚 crunchy and fresh, but still has a real earthiness to it that is super satisfying. A great example of the quality of still wines coming out of England."
Emil Elmer
鈥淭丑别 from Weyborne Estate is something else. Having just taken a Gold Medal at IWSC with 95 points, it鈥檚 a stellar example of a traditional method sparkling wine. It has the brioche and nuttiness you鈥檇 expect from any good champagne, with really defined fruit 鈥� lovely notes of oranges, peaches and apricots. I keep going back to it.鈥�
Daisy Cross
鈥淭丑别 is a fantastic alternative to Provence for this summer. Made predominantly from Pinot Noir, it鈥檚 super refreshing and delicate. Plus, the winery has a real focus on sustainability, using organic and biodynamic practices across their vineyards. If you鈥檙e going more a locally-sourced, sustainable option for 谤辞蝉茅 this summer, this is the one.鈥�
Elliot Knight
鈥� is a really fun one. It鈥檚 made using the Charmat-method, so it鈥檚 approachable and offers a different price point for English sparkling. I love that it鈥檚 fruit-driven and that it鈥檚 designed to be easy-going and enjoyed in the moment.鈥�
*Year period: the 52 weeks to Feb '25.
Sources:
CGA OPM 52 weeks to 22.02.25 vs. the same time period the previous year
Data from Food Standards Agency Wine Team - Wine GB
Source: WineGB Industry Survey 2024
Nina Lloyd
Nina learnt about wine whilst working in hospitality alongside a classical musical degree, and safe to say, wine became more interesting to her than opera. Growing up in Melbourne, Australia a wine region was never too far away. While enjoying wines from across the world, a Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir will always taste deliciously of home.