D4.C16. England and Wales Flashcards
When did modern grape growing in England and Wales started?
After the Second World War
Which grape varieties are used for producing sparkling wines in England and Wales?
- Initially mainly German crosses and hybrid varieties
- Traditional Champagne varieties in the late 1980s
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier account for how many per cent of all plantings and production in England and Wales?
75%
Tasting notes for an English sparkling wine
- Flavours for white wine tend to be apple and lemon along with autolytic notes
- Very high acidity and just-ripe fruit are distinctive characteristics
What is the quality/price range for English sparkling wines?
- Very good with some outstanding in quality
- Premium to super-premium in price
Where are most of the vineyards located in England and Wales?
85% in southern England
How is the climate in England and Wales?
Cool maritime
Which factors favor growing grapes for traditional method sparkling wine in England and Wales
- Long day-light hours due to northerly latitude (above 50)
- Cool climate
How did the average growing season temperature has changed within one century in England and Wales
It has risen from 13°C to 14°C
Why is the climate in England and Wales favorable to produce sparkling wines?
Cool temperatures result in slow ripening, slow sugar accumulation, preservation of acidity and the creation of medium intensity fruit characters
What are the pros and cons of global warming on the production of sparkling wines in England and Wales?
Pros:
- It has helped producers to ripen fruit in more years than was previously possible, raising quality
Cons:
- However, a greater number of extreme weather events, for example, heavy rain, has accompanied this
- Earlier budding with warmer springs together with use of early budding Champagne varieties, increased the risk for spring frost
What is the biggest environmental risk in England and Wales?
- Prolonged rain
- Rain and cool temperatures in June and July can affect flowering and fruit set and can drastically reduce yields
What are the highest priorities of the growers in England and Wales in managing the risks?
- Managing the vineyard (e.g. timely spraying against fungal diseases)
- Managing the financial risks of fluctuations in yields and quality
What are the key factors for the vineyard site selection in England and Wales?
- South-facing slopes are best for maximum exposure to sunlight
- Maximum shelter from prevailing winds that are generally from the south-west
- Good drainage is essential to avoid regularly wet soils and root zone (naturally free draining or will need to have drainage installed, which adds to cost)
- Altitude less than 125 meters
What are the soil types in Southern England?
- Clay predominates in Kent and parts of Sussex
- The soils in Sussex and Hampshire have significant amounts of chalk
What are the advantages and disadvantages of chalky soils in Sussex and Hampshire?
- Advantage: They offer good drainage and lower fertility
- Disadvantage: Chalk soils tend to be on slopes at higher elevations, making them more vulnerable to adverse weather
What is the planting density of the new vineyards for sparkling wines in England?
4,000–5,000 vines per hectare to increase root competition and contain the vigour of the canopy
What is the preferred training system in England?
Guyot with VSP
Which vineyard practices help to retain the heat in the fruiting zone in England?
- Narrow rows
- Canes trained relatively close to the ground
Why are the canopies thin in England?
- To allow air and light to reach buds and the fruit
- To reduce disease pressure
- To allow sprays to reach the leaves
What are the reasons for low average yields in England?
- Marginal climate
- Increased planting of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that can flower poorly in wet and cool weather
What is the average yield in England?
- 25 hL/ha
- Best vineyards can achieve twice this figure
What is the price range for English sparkling wines? Why?
Premium and super-premium due to the low and variable yields
What are the common winemaking practices for English sparkling wines?
- Almost all them are traditional method
- Predominantly vintage wines
- Length of time on the lees varies, but the minimum must be 9 months
- Some producers use a portion of oak maturation to add texture, but the majority of base wines are unoaked
- Malolactic conversion is widely used to reduce the very high acidity
What are the advantages of having reserve wines for making English sparkling wines?
- To create a consistent style
- Useful in a marginal climate where yields and quality can vary each year, though it also increases costs
Which grape varieties are allowed to produce English PDO sparkling wines?
- Chardonnay
- Pinot Noir
- Pinot Noir Précoce
- Meunier
- Pinot Blanc
- Pinot Gris
What is Sparkling Sussex PDO?
- A separate PDO gained in June 2022
- Wines must be made from grapes grown in the region
- Predominantly from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and/or Meunier
Which methods can be used for producing English sparkling wines?
Only traditional method
Can German and hybrid varieties be used to produce PDO sparkling wines in England?
No, they can be labelled with a protected geographical indication (PGI)
What is the maximum yield for PDO wines?
It is 80 hL/ha, but, this is rarely an issue
How is the sweetness style classified for English sparkling wines. Which is the most common style?
- Labelled using EU terms for sweetness
- Brut
What is the planted vineyard area for sparkling wines (all varieties) in England and Wales?
3,800 ha
How did the planted area changed over the last decade for sparkling wines in England and Wales?
It is doubled between 2012–2020
What is the major factor that attracts new entrants for producing English sparkling wines?
By comparison with Champagne, agricultural land is much less expensive, a key factor attracting new entrants, including major Champagne houses
What are the significant producers for English sparkling wine?
- Nyetimber
- Wiston Estate
What is the percentage of domestic consumption and export for English sparkling wines?
- Domestic: 92%
- Export: 8%
What are the channels for English sparkling wine sales?
- Cellar door (1/3)
- Specialist wine shops
- Premium supermarkets
- Hospitality sector
How do the producers deal with the major financial challenge of dealing with the fluctuations in yields?
By keeping 4-5 years of stock
What is the name of the body that oversees the sparkling wine industry in England? What are its functions?
- WineGB
- It seeks to act as a point of reference for, and to represent, vineyard owners and producers in technical services, regulation, marketing and education
