english wine week Archives • Round & About Magazine

Raise a glass to English Wine Week

You may not be that familiar with English wines but there are more and more of them and they are becoming more popular.

Last year there was significant increase in wine production and sales and exports of wine have grown so there has never been a better time to celebrate English Wine Week which runs from today (25th May) until 2nd June.

There are more than 400 vineyards around England and Wales with several producing award-winning varieties, many of which can be enjoyed on visits to the vineyards.

These vineyards last year produced 15.6million bottles; 1.6million vines were planted amounting to 1,000 acres with another two million due to be planted this year. Most of the vines planted are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Bacchus.

English Wine Week aims to raise awareness of English wine across the country and many vineyards are open to the public in our region.
Why not visit one of these and try out the splendid wines they’re producing:

Surrey

Albury Vineyard, Guildford; Blackdown Ridge Estate, Haslemere; Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking; Godstone Vineyard, Godstone; Grange Estate Wines, Alresford; Greyfriars Vineyard, The Hog’s Back; High Clandon Estate Vineyard; Lakeside Vineyard, North Chiddingfold and Weyborne Vineyard, Haslemere

Oxfordshire

Bothy Vineyard, Frilford Heath; Brightwell Vineyard, Wallingford; Fairmile Vineyard, Henley; Fawley Vineyard, Henley and Hendred Vineyard, East Hendred

Berkshire

Alder Ridge Vineyard, Hungerford; Enborne Vineyards, Enborne; Stanlake Park Wine Estate, Twyford and Winding Wood Vineyard, Hungerford

Gloucestershire

Larkhill Vineyard, Tetbury; Poulton Hill Estate, Cirencester and Three Choirs Vineyards, Newent

Wiltshire

Southcott Vineyard Partnership, Pewsey

There’s an extra treat for wine lovers the following week too with English food and wine taking centre stage at Brightwell Vineyard near Wallingford on Saturday, 8th June.

Find out more about The Wine & Food Festival

To find out about these and how you can get involved visit Alzheimer’s Society

Vineyard varieties: The English Wine & Food Festival in Wallingford will showcase wines from 11 local vineyards

Raise a glass to all the great wine being produced on your doorstep at the English Wine & Food Festival.

If you didn’t even know there were vineyards in the Thames and Chiltern region then this is a great opportunity to discover and taste it for yourself.

There are 11 local vineyards taking part in the event which will offer members of the public the opportunity to taste, compare and buy award-winning wines all in one location – Brightwell Vineyard in Wallingford.

You’ll get to meet winemakers, growers and a Master of Wine specialising in English wine as well as learning more about the grape varieties that do well in our unpredictable climate.

You may know classic grape varieties such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay but do you know your Bacchus from your Ortega?

The festival is a must for foodies as well as wine lovers with the chance to pair the wide range of crisp, fruity wines with the freshly made local dishes on offer.

The festival on Saturday, 8^th June will include vineyard walks, wine sales and tastings, local vineyard information, artisan hot and cold food, local crafts and a pay bar.

The local vineyards taking part are:

Fairmile Vineyard, Henley

Brightwell Vineyard, Wallingford

Bothy Vineyard, Frilford Heath

Oaken Grove Vineyard, Marlow

Harrow & Hope Vineyard, Marlow

Stanlake Park Wine Estate

Winding Wood Vineyard, Hungerford

Chafor Wine Estate, Gawcott

Daws Hill Vineyard, Radnor

Hendred Vineyard, East Hendred

Wyfold Vineyard, Marlow.

Entry £2 adult, children free and wine tastings cost £10 for 10 wines or £8 if bought early. You can book your tickets here

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