The United Kingdom Wine Country
United Kingdom
The history of wine making in England is a long and complex one, dating back to Roman times. However, after the fall of the Roman Empire, wine production in England declined, and for many centuries, the country was primarily a wine-importing nation. It wasn't until the late 20th century that the English wine industry began to experience a resurgence, with the first modern vineyards being established in the 1960s. Today, the industry is growing rapidly...
In this guide:
What are the United Kingdom wine regions
ENGLAND
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There are several wine regions in England, each with their own unique climate and soil conditions that contribute to the character of the wines produced there. Some of the main wine regions in England include:
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South East: This region includes the counties of Kent, Sussex, and Hampshire, and is known for producing sparkling wines made in the traditional method.
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> Kent is a county in the southeast of England that has a growing number of vineyards. The region is known for its sparkling wines, which are made using the traditional method. The wines produced in Kent have received positive reviews for their crisp and refreshing character.
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> Sussex is a county in the southeast of England that is home to a number of vineyards. The region is known for its sparkling wines, which are made using the traditional method. The wines produced in Sussex have received positive reviews for their bright and fruity character.
> Hampshire is a county in the south of England that has a number of vineyards producing wine. The region is known for its still wines, which are made using a range of grape varieties. The wines produced in Hampshire have received positive reviews for their bright and crisp character.
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South West: This region includes the counties of Dorset, Devon, and Cornwall, and is known for producing white wines, particularly those made from the Bacchus grape variety.
> Dorset is a county in the south of England that has a growing number of vineyards. The region is known for its still wines, which are made using a range of grape varieties. The wines produced in Dorset have received positive reviews for their bright and crisp character.
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East Anglia: This region includes the counties of Suffolk and Norfolk, and is known for producing white wines, particularly those made from the Bacchus grape variety.
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West Midlands: This region includes the counties of Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, and is known for producing red and white wines.
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> Herefordshire is a county in the west of England that is home to a number of vineyards. The region is known for its sparkling wines, which are made using the traditional method. The wines produced in Herefordshire have received positive reviews for their crisp and fruity character.
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North West: This region includes the counties of Cheshire and Lancashire, and is known for producing red and white wines.
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Yorkshire and the Humber: This region includes the counties of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, and is known for producing white wines, particularly those made from the Reichensteiner grape variety.
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North East: This region includes the counties of Durham and Northumberland, and is known for producing white wines, particularly those made from the Madeleine Angevine grape variety.
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Note that this is not an exhaustive list, as there are other regions in England that are also producing wine, and even if the production is small, it is still worth mentioning.
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WALES
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Wales is not a well-known wine-making region and the wine produced is limited in quantity and not widely distributed. However, there are some small vineyards in Wales that produce wine and I'll list some of them below:
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Ancre Hill Estates: Ancre Hill Estates is a vineyard located in Monmouthshire, Wales. They produce a range of sparkling wines using the traditional method, as well as still wines. Their sparkling wines have received positive reviews for their crisp and refreshing character.
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Cwmcerrig Farm Shop: Cwmcerrig Farm Shop is a small vineyard located in Carmarthenshire, Wales. They produce a range of still and sparkling wines using traditional grape varieties. Their wines have received positive reviews for their crisp and fruity character.
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White Castle Vineyard: White Castle Vineyard is a small vineyard located in Monmouthshire, Wales. They produce a range of still and sparkling wines using traditional grape varieties. Their wines have received positive reviews for their crisp and refreshing character.
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Overall, the wine-making industry in Wales is still in its early stages, but the quality of the wines produced by the small vineyards is encouraging. The limited production and regional distribution make Welsh wines somewhat difficult to find, but they are worth seeking out for those interested in trying something new and unique.
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