Terroir or pure guesswork? What is the best vine to grow? It was Prime Minister Harold Macmillan who when asked what was the most difficult thing to cope with in his job is alleged to have responded ‘Events dear boy, events’. Vine growers need to think in a similar manner. Thirty years ago, if anyone had planted Chardonnay in Britain, they would have been regarded as mad- 'everyone' knew that the climate was too cold and the growing season too short.. Now, climatic changes and the increasing demand for sparkling wine have made both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir extremely viable, especially in the southern counties.. But for how much longer? France is increasingly getting too hot for its traditional grapes.In fifty years, this could also be true of southern Britain There was an article in the Guardian recently about vines in Sweden, where the growers are looking for a vine that will suit their climate. Currently, they grow Madeleine Angevine. Soon, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot? Given the speed at which climatic change is occuring faster than the experts predicted, and that viticulturalists need to look at least 10 years ahead to repay their investment, it may well come to that. A Scottish Riesling from the Great Glen may well be only a few years away! So what is produced in England and Wales? Still Wines If this question had been asked 20 years ago, the answer would have included Muller Thurgau, Seyval Blanc, Reichensteiner and Triomph d'Alsace. Does it still do so? Click one of the links to see who is producing what in still and sparkling wines. All these can be purchased either directly from the vineyard or in local stores. Many vineyards have their own web sites- see VINEYARDS secion above for links All the varietals by grape type- even White Pinot Noir! All the sparkling wines WESSEX ASSOCIATION LAUNCH WEB SITE Do you have a canary in your vineyard? Triumph for the BACCHUS grape Report from the English Wine Producers"

Who grows what? Thirty years ago, Muller Thurgau was one of the most common grapes grown. In 2015, more vineyards grow Bacchus than any other variety. See the list of Grapes and Wine in the main menu Where can you buy your wines online? An increasing number of the wines produced can be purchased online via the vineyard's own website. A brief list of these are included on the link below.This is by no means exclusive. If anyone wishes to be added to it, please inform the webmaster List of web sites with sales facilties

And now for an amusing little wine with a slightly liquorish nose..

Independence for Sussex?

Note: All information on this site is printed in good faith and is available on other sites or in reference books. E&OE. Any vineyard owner who wishes information to be removed or changed please contact the author. It is not a sales site and any emails from companies wishing to sell products to the site will be treated as spam.