England

The "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland", or "United Kingdom" for short, with its capital in London, is the largest European island state at 243,610 km². It consists of the four parts of England (130,395 km²), Wales (20,735 km²), Scotland (77,910 km²) and Northern Ireland (13,843 km²). Colloquially, it is often referred to as the UK or Britain and in German as Great Britain (see the history there). The often used term England for the entire kingdom is incorrect.

History

Viticulture in Britain was probably introduced by the Romans. The conquest of the island was set in motion in 43 AD under the Emperor Claudius (10 BC to 54 AD). It was largely inhabited by Celtic-speaking tribes who maintained close links with Gaul. Parts of the island remained under Roman rule until around 440 AD. Winegrowing is mentioned in a document from 731. In 1152, the future King Henry II (1133-1189) came into possession of Gascony and large parts of western France, including Bordeaux (which reverted to France in 1453), through his marriage to Eleonora of Aquitaine (1122-1204).

French wine was imported on a large scale for 300 years. This was the heyday of the rosé-coloured Clairet. But sweet wines from southern Europe were also popular from the middle of the 14th century, for example Vernage (Vernaccia) from Italy and Malmsey from Cyprus and Crete, which was shipped from the Greek port of Monemvasia(Peloponnese). As a result, independent English viticulture came to a standstill for many centuries.

Influence on European viticulture

A number of significant developments in viticulture came from the British Isles. This is particularly surprising because Great Britain has never played a special role in the production of wine to this day. Among other things, this includes the fact that glass bottles were developed here, making it easier or even possible to retail wine and alcoholic beverages in small quantities. These were invented in the 17th century by Sir Kenelm Digby (1603-1665) and were mainly produced in England for a long time.

Sherry & port wine

England and the numerous British colonies around the world are responsible for the great popularity of two now famous dessert wines. Towards the end of the 16th century, sherry, which was imported in large quantities from Spain, became popular in England, triggered by the 2,900 barrels (pipes) captured by the state-licensed privateer and circumnavigator Sir Francis Drake (1540-1596).

The foundation stone for the port wine boom in England that began at the start of the 18th century was laid by the treaty concluded in 1703, known as the Methuen Treaty, which provided for special customs concessions for the import of Portuguese wines into England. This led to a British monopoly in the port wine trade and the establishment of many port wine houses in Portugal. The Factory House in Porto, which opened in 1790, also played a special role in this, where the British factors concluded their transactions.

Wine trade

England has always played an important role in the wine trade. From the beginning of the 18th century, the trade war between France and England created an exclusive market for Bordeaux wines. English wine merchants founded trading houses in Bordeaux, some of which still exist today, and established the Bordeaux wine trade. The Diageo company in London is now one of the largest drinks multinationals in the world.

London is also regarded as the centre of the global auction trade with the two houses Sotheby' s (founded in 1744) and Christie's (founded in 1759). In 1955, the Institute of Masters of Wine was founded by a group of wine merchants in co-operation with the Vintners Company, a London wine merchants' association founded as early as the 13th century, in order to create a special training programme for a demanding qualification in the British wine trade and thus help it to improve its quality and reputation.

Invention of champagne

England was also involved in the "invention" of champagne by the Marquis de Saint-Évremond (1610-1703), who went into exile in England and introduced white wines from Champagne. Due to the warm spring weather, a second fermentation was often initiated in the barrel. The sparkling wines were bottled on arrival and became popular in aristocratic circles. These were the forerunners of champagne, even twenty years before Dom Pierre Pérignon (1638-1715) started making it. A "sparkling champagne" was mentioned in writing in London in 1663. The first enthusiasts were therefore the English, and it was only afterwards that it became fashionable in France.

Winemaking personalities

Many renowned wine writers and wine critics come from the island. These include Tim Atkin, Nicolas Belfrage, Michael Broadbent, Tom Cannavan, Oz Clarke, Julia Harding, Hugh Johnson, Charles Metcalfe, David Peppercorn, Cyril Ray, Jancis Robinson, Tom Stevenson, Serena Sutcliffe, Henry Vizetelly and Harry Waugh.

Viticulture today

After the Second World War, Ray Barrington Brock (1907-1999) identified the most suitable grape varieties, such as Müller-Thurgau and Seyval Blanc, and from 1952 Sir Guy Salisbury-Jones (1896-1985) planted the first vineyard in Hampshire, revitalising British viticulture. Other pioneers include Stuart and Sandy Moss, who recognised the potential of the local soils for sparkling wines and established the Nyetimber vineyard in East Sussex in 1988, focusing on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In 1967, the "United Kingdom Vineyard Association" was founded, which represents all the interests of viticulture in the United Kingdom.

The vineyards are located in southern England, Wales and the Channel Islands on poor clay, sand and loess soils. The wet summers and rainy autumns favour fungal diseases. The best growing areas are near the coast, where the cool climate is tempered by the influence of the Gulf Stream. England and the United Kingdom could benefit from climate change due to rising temperatures. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland play an insignificant role in the United Kingdom. There are six wine-growing regions:

• East Anglia (north-east of London to the north coast of Norfolk)
• Mercia (Midlands, North)
• Southwest and Wales (Hereford, Worcester, South Wales)
• Thames and Chiltern (Oxford, north London)
• Weald and Downland (Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex)
• Wessex (Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Isle of Wight)

Vineyards & producers

In 2023, the vineyards in England covered 4,209 hectares (2009: 1,215 hectares). These are cultivated by 221 producers on 1,030 vineyards. Wine production total led 161,960 hectolitres (21.6 million bottles). The trend is rising sharply, up 77% on 2022. The production shares by wine type were sparkling wine (76%), still wine (23%, of which white wine 67%, rosé 20% and red wine 13%) and others such as Vermouth (1%). 90 different grape varieties are cultivated, many of which are new German varieties. The grape variety index:

Other authorised grape varieties include Acolon, Alvarinho, Auxerrois, Cabaret Noir, Divico, Dornfelder, Huxelrebe, Kernling, Madeleine x Angevine 7672, Müller-Thurgau, Orion, Ortega, Phoenix, Pinot Blanc, Regent, Sauvignon Blanc, Schönburger, Siegerrebe, Triomphe d'Alsace and Würzer.

Producers

Well-known producers include Barkham Hanor, Breaky Bottom, Chapel Down, Denbies Wine Estate, Halfpenny Green, Hidden Spring, Llanerch (Wales), Penshurst, Pilton Manor, Sandhurst, Sharpham, Thames Valley, Three Choirs.

Wine law

There are no strict requirements. Most producers only specify the grape variety, vintage, location and alcohol content. Enriching the grape must with sugar is common. Sparkling wines made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with bottle fermentation are very popular. British wines, which are produced from imported RCGM, are a speciality. The real wines are marketed as United Kingdom Tablewine, English (or Welsh) Vineyards Quality Wine PSR or, if hybrids are used, as English (Welsh) Counties Regional Wine.

Map Great Britain: by TUBS - This file contains elements of: CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
Map of England: © Goruma
Flag of England: by Nicholas Shanks - Own work, Public domain, Link
Coat of arms England: by Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link
Vineyard: Denbies Wine Estate