English Wine Takes Vine
English Wine Takes Vine - Exploring England's Burgeoning Wine Regions
England may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of world-class wines, but the country's wine regions are quickly gaining renown. With a climate similar to the Champagne region of France, southern England is an ideal location for growing grapes and producing sparkling wines. The chalky soils of Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, and Dorset lend minerality and acidity to wines made in these areas.
Kent is England's oldest wine region, with vineyards dating back to the Roman era. Home to Chapel Down and other producers, Kent excels at Bacchus, a German grape that makes aromatic whites. Hampshire, on the southern coast, benefits from the warming effect of the Gulf Stream. Hambledon Vineyard in Hampshire uses Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes to craft elegant sparkling wines.
The South Downs in Sussex contain altitude and south-facing slopes that are perfect for ripening grapes. Nyetimber, one of England's most acclaimed sparkling wine producers, grows Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier on its estate here. North to Dorset, you'll find Furleigh Estate which makes fresh, minerally sparkling wines from the classic Champagne varieties.
What else is in this post?
- English Wine Takes Vine - Exploring England's Burgeoning Wine Regions
- English Wine Takes Vine - English Wines Give French Competitors a Run
- English Wine Takes Vine - Pairing English Wines with Local Cuisine
English Wine Takes Vine - English Wines Give French Competitors a Run
While England may not have the centuries-old winemaking pedigree of its neighbors across the English Channel, the country's wineries are quickly gaining respect on the global stage. Fueled by innovations in viticulture and winemaking, coupled with a terroir well-suited for producing world-class sparkling wines, English wines are proving they can more than hold their own against the traditional powerhouses of France.
In the Champagne region of France, producers have long enjoyed a virtual monopoly on premium sparkling wines. However, the chalky soils and temperate maritime climate of southern England have been found to be remarkably similar to those of Champagne. Skilled English vintners are leveraging these natural advantages to craft sparkling wines that can match or even exceed the quality of their French counterparts.
One prime example is Nyetimber, an estate located in the South Downs of Sussex. Using the classic Champagne grape varietals of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, Nyetimber has earned numerous accolades for its refined, elegant sparkling wines. In 2013, one of their blanc de blancs cuvées was even declared better than several prestigious Champagnes in a blind tasting hosted by the renowned Decanter magazine.
Similarly, the Hambledon Vineyard in Hampshire has gained international recognition for its meticulously produced traditional method sparkling wines. Benefiting from the warming influence of the nearby Gulf Stream, the Hambledon estate is able to fully ripen the Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes, resulting in complex, age-worthy sparkling wines.
But it's not just the major players making waves in the English wine scene. Smaller, family-owned wineries are also carving out their own niches and earning critical acclaim. Furleigh Estate in Dorset, for instance, has garnered praise for its freshly styled, minerally sparkling wines crafted from the classic Champagne varietals.
What's driving this ascent of English sparkling wines? In part, it's a newfound confidence and ambition among the country's winemakers, who are not content to simply emulate their French counterparts. Instead, they are embracing the unique terroir and microclimates of their home turf to create distinctive, terroir-expressive wines.
Furthermore, investments in state-of-the-art winemaking equipment and facilities, as well as rigorous viticultural practices, have allowed English producers to elevate the quality and consistency of their wines. Techniques like extended lees aging and meticulous attention to detail in the cellars are helping to imbue these sparkling wines with complexity, depth, and finesse.
The rise of English wines is not just limited to sparkling varieties, either. Producers are also demonstrating their prowess with still wines, particularly aromatic white grape varieties like Bacchus, which thrive in the country's cool-climate conditions. As the industry continues to evolve and mature, we can expect to see even more impressive wines emerging from England's burgeoning wine regions.
English Wine Takes Vine - Pairing English Wines with Local Cuisine
England's burgeoning wine regions don't just produce world-class sparkling wines - they also provide the perfect accompaniment to the country's rich culinary heritage. From the lush, orchard-studded landscapes of Kent to the rolling hills of the South Downs, the unique terroirs of these vineyards lend themselves beautifully to pairing with the hearty, locally-sourced ingredients that define classic English fare.
In Kent, the crisp, aromatic whites made from the Bacchus grape shine alongside the region's famous Kentish cobnuts and fresh seafood plucked from the nearby English Channel. The mineral-driven, zesty character of these wines cuts through the richness of creamy Dover sole or the briny sweetness of Whitstable oysters. For a truly indulgent pairing, try a glass of Chapel Down's Bacchus with a plate of succulent Romney Marsh lamb, its herbaceous notes complementing the meat's natural gaminess.
Further west in Hampshire, the elegant, age-worthy sparkling wines of Hambledon Vineyard find their ideal match in the earthy, umami-laden dishes of the New Forest. The complex, toasty profiles of these traditional method sparklers provide a luxurious contrast to the region's famous wild mushrooms, foraged from the ancient woodlands. A flute of Hambledon's Classic Cuvée is the perfect companion to a bowl of rich venison stew, its effervescence cleansing the palate between each hearty bite.
Down in Sussex, the renowned Nyetimber estate crafts sparkling masterpieces that sing alongside the Sussex Downs' artisanal cheese offerings. The mineral-driven Chardonnay-based cuvées from Nyetimber possess a creamy, refined mousse that elevates the flavors of local favorites like the tangy, crumbly South Downs White. For a decadent treat, pair a glass of Nyetimber's Rosé with a wedge of the area's famous Burwash Rose, the wine's subtle red fruit notes harmonizing with the cheese's rich, lactic notes.
Even in Dorset, where the maritime climate lends itself to the production of pristine, maritime-influenced sparkling wines, the local cuisine provides the perfect foil. At Furleigh Estate, the zesty, sea-breeze character of their sparkling Pinot Noir complements the region's legendary seafood, from the briny Chesil Beach mussels to the sweet, buttery Lyme Bay scallops. A flute of Furleigh's Classic Cuvée is also a revelatory pairing with Dorset Blue Vinney, the wine's refreshing acidity cutting through the cheese's dense, pungent paste.