English wine

[callan]

Does anybody buy it and what are their thoughts?

I am in the process of setting up a small vineyard (think 1/2 an acre with approx 50 vines) which I thought would be a bit of fun and any wine from it would be for family consumption given away etc and not to turn a profit.
However have had an offer from the local micro brewery to bottle and sell it if any good...plus another 1/2 an acre of their land to grow more vines on.
I have imported the vines (red grapes) from Germany and they should be ok in our climate, plus they are going into some of the best soil in Lincolnshire that should really suit them so I don't doubt the wine will be reasonable....however not sure about commercially viable as I'm not sure how many people actually buy English wine.

 

[Massimo Giovanni]

New Hall Vinyard at Purley (nr Maldon) have been making decent white and sparkling wine for 20+ yrs, if you have the time I suggest you check them out. It is a very nice wine on warm summer afternoons.

 

[MK Shrimper]

Only had some from Isle of Wight - it was awful sad to say.

Though it wouldn't put me off drinking British at all. Sounds great fun Cal, good luck with it.

 

[Mad Cyril]

I drink Buckfast Tonic wine which is produced in Devon.

 

[Mad Cyril]

From what I understand the chalky regions of South England produce very good sparkling wine and there is a lot of investment into wine production there.

Personally I can't stand the stuff so I can't comment on quality.

 

[GrumpyBlue]

Camel Valley from Cornwall is pretty good but a bit on the pricey side

 

[pickledseal]

I visited 3 Choirs, Gloucester way. Their wine was very nice. I owned a vine there for a year...