7 Wonderful English Wines you Must Try

The sun-kissed southern region of England is ideal for grape growing. Celebrate the best of English wine with our handy guide to the country’s best vintages

England isn’t as well known a wine producer as other European countries, such as France. But there are some areas of the country, notably in the south east, which receive plenty of sunshine, offering ideal conditions for growing grapes. We’ve sampled some of the best English wines, and handpicked our favourites.

Langham Wine Estate & Vineyard Café

Langham Wine Estate produces world class sparkling wine from a 30-acre estate in the heart of rural Dorset. Langham recently put South West England firmly on the map, when they won Sparkling Wine Producer of the Year at the IWSC 2020, taking the title from Veuve Clicquot. With a young, dynamic team focused on producing top quality wine in a low intervention method, a guided tour of the estate takes you through every step of wine production from the vineyard to the glass.

langhamwine.co.uk

Aldwick Estate & Vineyard

An innovative, sustainable enterprise, set against the backdrop of the Yeo Valley, Aldwick Estate invites guests to tour its vineyards, sample its wine (or stay the night). Tours run from mid-May to October, and booking is essential. What’s more, May marks the launch of a new sparkling wine in Aldwick’s portfolio – its 2017 Classic Cuvee. This elegant, sophisticated fizz should prove a toasting success in 2021. Why not decide for yourself?

aldwickestate.co.uk

Hambledon Vineyard

Hambledon is England’s oldest commercial vineyard, originally established in 1952. Today Hambledon comprises over 200 acres spread over numerous vineyard sites. All of their grapes are grown on Newhaven Chalk – the same chalk found in the best Chardonnay areas of the Côtes des Blancs in Champagne. Its Premiere Cuvée NV has but a singular mission: to be the BEST English Sparkling Wine available and has won numerous prestigious awards including de-throning several champagne houses at the 2015 and 2020 Noble Rot Tastings.

hambledonvineyard.co.uk

Ridgeview Wine Estate

For more than 25 years, Ridgeview has been producing world-class sparkling wines, focussing on exceptional quality from vine to glass. Their vineyard is positioned on the South Downs in beautiful rural Sussex. Ridgeview has been awarded International Winemaker of the Year and the vineyard has been recognised amongst the world’s best. Its sparkling wines have been served on many prestigious royal occasions, and are now exported around the globe. With glorious views, Ridgeview welcomes visitors for tours and tastings all year round.

ridgeview.co.uk

Carr Taylor Wines

A family-run vineyard in the heart of the Sussex countryside, Carr Taylor have been producing prize winning English wines since the 1970s – since 2000 it has won 66 awards! The grapes are grown on its estate, where it also produces and bottles its wines. It’s renowned for its Brut, which has fruity hints of apple and elderflower, and for its rich, peachy Demi Sec.

carr-taylor.co.uk

FOLC

A BAME female-led English wine brand, which produces modern English still rosé. Folc’s philosophy is to produce quality English wine with a modern mindset. It wants to showcase a delicious, locally grown, still English rosé, with absolute transparency on the sustainable journey from the grape to glass. Folc recently launched a new 2020 Vintage dry English still rosé made from a blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay, Bacchus, Reichensteiner, Schönburger and Dornfelder, which lends itself a pale, salmon-pink colour, with a wonderfully fresh and awakening flavour.

drinkfolc.com

Giffords Hall

Giffords Hall is a family owned Suffolk Vineyard in picturesque open country at the heart of the upper Stour Valley. The wines have a delicate floral character very typical of the region; it is particularly known for its Bacchus and the rose. This is one of the premier East Anglian Vineyards mentioned recently in the Times ‘best 10 vineyards to visit’ with a winery, shop and café and a Barrel Hall where larger events, corporate and private, take place. Visitors are welcome every day except Mondays, with regular tours. Newmarket and Cambridge are close by, making it a great destination only two hours from the capital.

giffordshall.co.uk