|
English Wine
It was the Romans who first began growing vines and making
wine in the United Kingdom. Unfortunately, as we Brits could
have told them, the climate proved too cold and too wet. Yet,
as is the case with the British spirit, people persisted in
attempting to grow grapes and at one point Britain boasted 40
vineyards, but most of what was bottled was communion wine.
Then, in the 90's English wine experienced a growth spurt caused
mainly by wine from the Australia, Chile, Argentina, New Zealand
and South Africa which made wine from untraditional wine growing
regions more popular. The English wine producers were influenced
and inspired by the quality wines being produced outside of
France using Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes and in 2004 judges
of European sparkling wine awarded many of the top positions
to English wines, placing English wine firmly beside French
champagnes.
Now there are vineyards in the Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon, Somerset
and Cornwall with more vineyards popping up all the time and
moving further north.
|
