England & Wales Flashcards
ENGLAND & WALES -Highlights
When did viticulture start in England and Wales?
Modern viticulture started after WW2 using German hybrids
Late 1980s Chard, PN and PM were planted for sparking wine
- response positive
- 70% of what is now planted
ENGLAND & WALES -Highlights
Characteristics of sparkling wines here
high acidity, med abv, light to med body
flavors: apple and lemon with autolytic notes
just ripe fruit- distinctive characteristic
quality of very good to outstanding examples
premium to super premium
rose also made
ENGLAND & WALES -Growing Env & Grape
suitability for sparking?
vineyards are above the 50 degree latitude
long daylight, cool climate
make for traditional method possible
85% of production are vineyards in southern England
ENGLAND & WALES -Growing Env & Grape
Climate temp?
region experiences cool, maritime climate
average seasonal temp is 13C (55F)
cool temp= long slow ripening season needed
slow sugar accumulation, preservation of acidity
medium intensity fruit character
ENGLAND & WALES -Growing Env & Grape
Climate warming trend affects?
Has helped fruit to ripen, raising quality
Extreme weather events:
1 heavy rain
2 risk of frost damage for early budders like Chard & PN vs. hybrid varietal
ENGLAND & WALES -Growing Env & Grape
threats to yields?
prolonged rain.
maritime climate rain & cool temp in June and July affects
flowering and fruit set which affect yields
eg. 2012 wettest June in 100 years
rain during harvest cat be a threat in quality
managing vineyard for timely spraying
ENGLAND & WALES -Growing Env & Grape
site selection factors to consider?
- south facing slopes for max sun exposure
- max shelter from prevailing winds that are generally SW facing
wind/ rain hinder flower & fruit set & disperse heat
former apple orchards or hop field with aspects other than south may be preferred if they offer shelter
- good drainage- avoid wet soil, need naturally draining or installed drainage
- altitude below 125 M
ENGLAND & WALES -Growing Env & Grape
What soil types are found?
Clay in Kent and parts of Sussex
Chalk in Sussex and Hampshire
ENGLAND & WALES -Growing Env & Grape
benefits of Clay?
Kent and parts of Sussex
high water holding capacity and fertility
slightly lower acidity & more pronounce fruit
ENGLAND & WALES -Growing Env & Grape
benefits of Chalk?
Sussex and Hampshire –
key quality in Champagne lower density & fertility
on slopes at higher elevations
risk adverse weather
more finesse
leaner body
ENGLAND & WALES -Growing Env & Grape
Vineyards characteristics?
medium density 4,000-5,000 vine per hectare
to increase root competition & contain vigor
Guyot system with vertical shoot positioning
narrow rose with canes trained close to ground helps heat
canopies important to allow air and light to reach buds & fruit
reduce disease pressure & allow spays
ENGLAND & WALES -Growing Env & Grape
yield
given climate of cool and damp, vintage variation and fluctuating ___ normal
-low average due to marginal climate & increase plantings of
ENGLAND & WALES -Growing Env & Grape
yield leading to retail price?
Chard & PN can flower poorly in wet, cool climate
Average yield modest 24 mL/Ha best vineyards can achieve 2x
production highly variable and low amounts = premium & Super premium prices
ENGLAND & WALES -Winemaking
Varieties used in making sparking wine here?
majority production of white and rose is from Chard and PN
some PM
few made from German crossings and hybrids
ENGLAND & WALES -Winemaking
Production method used
Traditional method predominantly vintage wines
Lees ageing varies w/ min of 9 months with EU reg for quality wine with PDO
Oak maturation for texture -some producers
Unoaked- majority of producers
MLF widely used to reduce acidity
ENGLAND & WALES -Winemaking
choosing harvest for quality wine?
some producers, if willing to risk, will wait harvest for fuller ripeness and acidity level in line with traditional sparking
larger producers are staring to have a reserve library
for more consistent wine – NV
-will increase costs
Pet Nat also produced
ENGLAND & WALES -Wine law and Business
PDO approved wines?
Chardonnay
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir Precoce (a mutation of Pinot Noir that ripen 2 weeks earlier than PN
Pinot Meunier
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Gris
ENGLAND & WALES -Wine law and Business
PDO approved method?
PDO approved must be made in traditional style
PGI -all other examples- German hybrids and varieties label
EU terms for sweetness, most being brut
ENGLAND & WALES -Wine law and Business
amount of plantings?
in early stages of development -plantings small by world standard
-80% growth since 2015
Agricultural land is much less expensive
key factor for new entrants
Notable producers: Nyetimber and Wiston Estate
ENGLAND & WALES -Wine law and Business
where marketed?
Domestic market: 92% Virtually all consumed in England
Export market: 8%
1/3 sold at cellar door & sold in specialist shops, premium supermarkets, hospitality sector
premium and super premium ranges
wine compete with very good quality Champagne
ENGLAND & WALES -Wine law and Business
challenges in market?
derived from yield fluctuation
becoming easier now that can work with 4-5 years of stock
ENGLAND & WALES -Wine law and Business
industry body?
WineGB
seeks to act as a point of reference for & represent vineyard owners & producer in technical services, regulation, marketing, & education
