On 24 May 2012, we joined UKVine’s industry briefing panel on the future of English wine at the LIWF along with Neil Philips – the Wine Tipster; Mike Roberts – Ridgeview wines; Susanna Forbes – drinkbritain.com; and Julia Trustram-Eve, English Wine Producers. This time last year we were still in the process of building our shop and, with almost 12 months of front line trading under our belt, it was a great opportunity to offer the unique perspective of an independent exclusively English wine shop based in the heart of London.
Public speaking to industry is a daunting experience. Even more so, on a panel consisting of co-presenters we hold in the highest esteem and who have collectively paved the path for us to have launched our shop. My opening statement disagreeing that sparkling wine is the only future for the industry was not meant in disrespect to the vineyards who have earned the recognition they deserve in focusing on this growing sector. They play a crucial role in maintaining the profile for the industry as a whole and setting the bar. I hope I emphasised enough that English wine, and sparkling wine using the Champagne blend varietals in particular, wins international awards and has nothing to be apologetic about when it comes to pricing; as a rare, fair trade and high quality product. These wines are exceptional with the most expressive flavours and distinct characters we feel privileged to showcase. My statement was made out of respect for all the vineyards producing a combination that include or rely on high quality still and less known sparkling wine varietals, which also win International recognition or would, were their production large enough and ambition to enter them. Such vineyards include Breaky Bottom, Denbies, Stopham, Astley, Eglantine, Camel Valley, Ancre Hill, Bolney, Furleigh, Oatley, Sharpham, Wickham, Avonleigh, Giffords Hall… the list goes on.
We placed ourselves on the front line of English wine because we believe in these vineyards and because our customers enjoy them. 70% of our sales are still and non-Champagne varietal sparkling wines and our customers come back asking for them by name, bringing friends, family and colleagues to share in the excitement of their discovery. If we only focus on Champagne blends, we are effectively impeding the further investment in and development of equally exciting wines.
It is easy to forget that many vineyards have been around since the 70s and 80s with the same family pouring their heart and soul into their wines and producing exceptional results with both still and sparkling wines. My concern is that if these wines are written off, it will force smaller vineyards to give up altogether or rely on selling their grapes at even lower price points. Unless these smaller vineyards are seen to have commercial value and sales outlets, future landowners who do not share the same passion will be less inclined to maintain them and it result in picturesque vineyards producing high quality wines grubbed up or turned into swimming pools with extra decking.
Like the better known vineyards, they have the right to be showcased, discovered and not be apologetic.
As with all wine, there will be vintage variation. There will be low yields. Still wines will be more vulnerable when this happens because the weather, wine making and economics are less forgiving. We should therefore celebrate them and support them because despite the odds, the wines that can be produced deserve the awards they win. Camel Valley Rose, Sharpham Pinot Noir, Welcombe Hills Pinot Noir Precose, Sandhurst Bacchus Dry, Stopham Pinot Gris, Gusbourne Chardonnay, Element 20 and Asteley Veritas are truly stunning still wines and this standard, still or sparkling, is the future I envisage for English wine.
To achieve this, English wines need to be properly communicated. They need to be recommended and paired with the correct food in restaurants and available from retail shops with trained staff. People need to know which vineyards they can visit, which offer tasting tours, which run restaurants and which provide accommodation. In the absence of economies of scale, English wines need price points that maintain and raise the quality of their wine making, marketing and presentation as a quality, if not luxury, product.
The composition of the Panel reflected how different sectors have been working adjacently to achieve this and how closer collaboration can only strengthen the industry.
Keep an eye on our events and others promoting English wine to decide for yourself what the future for English wine is and please do let us know your thoughts!
Our next event will be on Sunday 3 June 2012 between 12pm and 6pm for English Wine Week and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee joint celebration in the Jubilee Market, Borough Market.
Our tiny shop has hired the whole market and invited exclusively British Food traders to join us in toasting the two occasion with more that 60 different English wines to buy by the glass and include, Rondo, Bacchus, Ortega, Kerner, Chardonnay, Seyval Blanc, Pinot Noir and, of course, the headlining Nyetimber, Hush Heath, Camel Valley and Ridgeview.
Join us before or after you watch the 1000 boat flotilla less than 200 meters away, which will also be screened at the venue.
Tickets are limited to 500 people making it an exclusive and relaxed escape from the crowds and guests will receive a commemorative wine glass and 5 tokens towards 5 English wine samples to find the right wine for you to raise your glass with.
The final wine list will be unveiled on www.boroughmarketjubilee.com and tickets can be secured at http://www.winepantry.co.uk/Jubilee-English-Wine-Festival/
This is an excellent post Julia – well said. I completely agree that we need to stop being so apologetic about English wines. It’s true that they’re not cheap but we must remember that we’re selling a unique proposition here – wine produced in our own country! It’s such a typically British trait to play the underdog and undersell ourselves. We need to be loud and proud about our wines – both still and sparkling – and to support English/Welsh wine producers, both large and small. I’ve been following the English wine industry for a while now and there has been a surge in interest in English wines over the last couple of years – not just because of the Jubilee/Olympics this year. Long may it continue!
You’re doing a great job, as are all of the panellists at the ‘What’s the future of English wine seminar’ – Julia Trustram-Eve at English Wine Producers, Mike Roberts at Ridgeview (and the rest of the EWP committee), Susanna Forbes at drinkbritain.com, Neil Phillips, The Wine Tipster and many others in the English wine industry. It was a really interesting and thought-provoking briefing -
http://www.ukvine.com/ukvine-seminar-sees-robust-future-for-english-wine/