England and Wales

Question 1

When did modern grape growing in England and Wales begin? What grape varieties were planted?

Answer 1

After WWII using German crosses and hybrids

Question 2

When were the traditional Champagne varieties planted in England and Wales with the intention of making sparkling wines?

Answer 2

In the 1980s

Question 3

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Meunier account for what percentage of production in England and Wales?

Answer 3

Around 65%

Question 4

What is the character of sparkling white wines from England and Wales?

Answer 4

High acid

Medium alcohol

Light to medium body

Notes of crisp green apple, lemon, and autolytic notes

Question 5

What are the distinctive characteristics of English and Welsh sparkling wines?

Answer 5

Racy high acidity and just-ripe fruit

Question 6

What is the quality and pricing of sparkling wine from England and Wales?

Answer 6

Very good to outstanding quality with premium to super-premium prices

Question 7

How long is the growing season in England and Wales compared to other regions north of the equator? Why?

Answer 7

England and Wales have a latitude above 50°, leading to longer daylight hours and, thus, a longer growing season

Question 8

How does the combination of climate and daylight hours affect grape growing in England and Wales? How is this beneficial to the production of sparkling wines?

Answer 8

The cool temperatures slow ripening, sugar accumulation, and help to preserve acidity and moderately intense fruit character. Long daylight hours during a long growing season ensure the vines have enough time to photosynthesize and produce viable grapes.

Question 9

What part of England and Wales accounts for 85% of all sparkling wine production?

Answer 9

Southern England

Question 10

What is the climate in Southern England?

Answer 10

Cool maritime

Question 11

How has the climate in Southern England changed since the middle of the 20th Century?

Answer 11

The growing season temperature has risen from 13°C to 14°C

Question 12

How has climate change affected grape growing in Southern England?

Answer 12

Producers are able to ripen fruit more in more years, though extreme weather such as heavy rain poses a risk to the vines. Earlier budding due to warmer springs also increases risk of frost damage.

Question 13

What is the biggest threat to Southern England vineyards?

Answer 13

Prolonged rain, especially during budding in June and July

Question 14

What factors are important when considering the planting of vineyards in England and Wales?

Answer 14

South-facing slopes that maximize sunlight exposure

Protection from prevailing south-westerly winds that hinder flowering and fruit set while also dispersing heat

Good drainage to avoid regularly wet soils and root zone

Altitude below 125m above sea level

Question 15

What are the principle soil types of Southern England? What do they provide to grapevines? Around which towns can they be found?

Answer 15

Clay, a water and nutrient retaining soil, primarily in Kent and parts of Sussex

Chalk, with good drainage and low fertility, found significantly in Sussex and Hampshire

Question 16

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Southern England grape growers planting on chalk soils?

Answer 16

Chalk can give wines with more finesse, higher acid, and leaner body, but chalk soils tend to be found at higher altitudes that make them more vulnerable to adverse weathers

Question 17

What types of sparkling wine is produced from grapes on clay soil in Southern England?

Answer 17

Slightly richer wines with slightly lower acidity and more pronounced fruit

Question 18

What density are new vineyards planted at in Southern England? Why?

Answer 18

4,000-5,000 vines per hectare (medium density) to increase root competition and decrease vigor

Question 19

What is the preferred viticultural training system in Southern England?

Answer 19

Guyot with vertical shoot positioning. Narrow rows and low-trained canes maximize heat retention

Question 20

In Southern England, are vine canopies managed thin, moderately, or allowed to grow thick?

Answer 20

Thin to allow air and light to reach the buds, reduce disease pressure, and allow sprays to reach the leaves

Question 21

Yields in Southern England are inconsistent. Why?

Answer 21

The cool, damp climate is subject to considerable vintage variation and, thus, fluctuating yields

Question 22

What is primarily responsible for the low yields in Southern England?

Answer 22

The marginal climate and the plantings of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir which don’t flower well in wet, cool springs

Question 23

What is the overall average yield in Southern England? What yields can Southern England’s best vineyards achieve? How does this compare to Champagne?

Answer 23

24 hl/ha, though the best Southern England vineyards can reach double that. The maximum yield in Champagne is 66 hl/ha.

Question 24

What factor has led to sparkling wines from Southern England being priced at premium and super-premium levels?

Answer 24

The high vintage variation that leads to unpredictable harvests and inconsistent products.

Question 25

What grapes are used to produce the majority of Southern English sparkling wines?

Answer 25

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Meunier is sometimes used.

Question 26

What method is used to produce the majority of English and Welsh sparkling wines?

Answer 26

Traditional method

Question 27

True or False

The sparkling wines of England and Wales are predominantly vintage wines.

Answer 27

True, though some of the larger producers are building a reserve library and moving to non-vintage wines to improve quality and consistency

Question 28

What is the trend in production toward tank method and Pet Nat wines in England and Wales?

Answer 28

Some producers are starting to create them

Question 29

What amount of lees aging can be found in English and Welsh sparkling wines?

Answer 29

A varying amount, though EU regulations require 9 months for any sparkling wine with a PDO

Question 30

Is oak maturation used widely in England and Wales to add richness to sparkling wines?

Answer 30

No, though some producers do use it.

Question 31

Do sparkling wine producers in England and Wales use malolactic fermentation?

Answer 31

Yes, it is widely used. Some producers on the best sites can risk waiting to pick for ideal acidity

Question 32

What six varieties are permitted in the use of PDO English sparkling wine? What method must be used?

Answer 32

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir Précoce, Meunier, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris

The wines must be traditional method

Question 33

True or False

Traditional method wines from England that are made from grapes other than those permitted in PDO England are part of a PGI catchment.

Answer 33

True

Question 34

What is the maximum yield for PDO England? How often is it exceeded?

Answer 34

80 hl/ha. Even the best producers only reach about half of that number.

Question 35

What system is used to describe the level of residual sugar in English sparkling wines?

Answer 35

The same as that used in the EU

Question 36

What is the total area under vine in England? How does this compare to 2000?

Answer 36

2,750 hectares, triple the amount in 2000

Question 37

What factor is attracting entrants to sparkling wine production in England and Wales?

Answer 37

The affordability of land, especially in comparison to Champagne.

Question 38

How much of England’s sparkling wine production is consumed locally? How much is exported?

Answer 38

96% consumed domestically

4% exported

Question 39

How much of England’s sparkling wine is sold at the cellar? Where else has it penetrated the domestic market?

Answer 39

One third of sales occur at the winery. It is also available at specialty wine shops, premium supermarkets, and in the hospitality sector by the bottle or glass.

Question 40

What is the primary competition to English sparkling wines? Why?

Answer 40

Very good quality Champagne due to the premium pricing of English sparkling wines

Question 41

How much sparkling wine was produced in England in 2018? What are the projections for future sales in five years and ten years?

Answer 41

2 million bottles in 2018

4 million bottles in 2023

8 million bottles in 2028

Question 42

What is the major question about the future of English sparkling wines?

Answer 42

Will there be an interest in premium priced sparkling wines from England in the future

Question 43

What is WineGB?

Answer 43

An English wine industry body that serves as a point of reference and representation for vineyard owners and wine producers in technical services, regulation, marketing, and education.