Are British Wines Any Good?
Have you ever thought about turning up to a party clutching a bottle of British wine? Maybe not. That's because British wines haven't had a particularly good reputation. It would once have been akin to turning up carrying a bottle of Blue Nun or Black Tower.
So how about these days? Have things improved at all?
One thing to say is that we're seeing a new wave of producers appearing, changing the British landscape. This has been particularly evident in Kent, where a number of French producers have been buying up plots of land. Enthusiasts suggest that the changing climate in this country makes such plots ideal for growing grapes that can produce some good quality wines. It's certainly the case that some British sparkling wines are comparing favourably with continental alternatives.
But what about the weather? There's no doubt that the climate here certainly doesn't compare with southern Europe. That certainly restricts the grape varieties that can be grown successfully and it also has an impact in terms of reliability. Since good weather can't be relied upon, it can be expected that the quality of wine produced may vary considerably from year to year.
If you want to be able to rely on the quality of the wine produced, then you may be better off sticking to your French, Italian and New World wines.
But British wines have improved immensely. So if someone appears at your party with a bottle of British "plonk" then don't be too quick to dismiss it. You may well be pleasantly surprised.
You can buy a range of wines online from a number of UK suppliers, including the likes of Wine Hound. Don't forget that you may also be able to buy direct from some British vineyards - why not book in a tour and tasting experience if you have a vineyard nearby.
Information on wines
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Buying wines direct
Tracking down wine suppliers
Are British wines any good?
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About Burgundy wines
Should you buy sparkling wine?
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