These are exciting times for the English wine industry. The volume of land planted to vines is growing exponentially with more new vineyard registered in the last few years than in the previous decade. There is now comfortably over 2,000 hectares (5,000 acres) under vine, more than doubling since 1998. 20 years ago this would have been unbelievable especially when you consider that nearly half of all plantings are to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir rather than Germanic varieties.
However there has not really been in massive increase in the number of wineries, and fewer than there were 30 years ago. Wineries are therefore expanding, and fizz is the unifying theme. Whether you like it or not English Fizz is well and truly on the map. It would be nice to think that that Champagne style bubbles was not the future though, and I certainly hope for still English wines that have a feel of place, that have plenty of character, are affordable and delicious. The 2015 & 2016 releases give reason for hope, especially from Pinot Bianco and some very interesting still Chardonnays. The word from the cellars is that despite lower volumes the 2017s are looking pretty tidy too.
