Winemakers "on the rise": British winemakers benefit from heat waves

Friday March 19, 2021

Winegrowers "on the advance"
British winemakers benefit from heat waves

Even if you think of a pint in the pub when you think of Great Britain, the winemakers on the island see themselves on the upswing. Their wine production is still comparatively small, but in recent years winemakers have benefited from several good readings – promoted by climate change.

The British wine industry, which has hitherto been quite manageable, is on the advance. "The UK wine industry is growing steadily and has gained international recognition in recent years," said the head of the Wine & Spirit Association, Miles Beale, in London. He referred to an "impressively stocked trophy cabinet".

In recent years, winemakers have benefited from several good reads, said Beale. Production rose from 5 million bottles in 2015, also due to a heat wave, to more than 13 million in 2018. The aim is to double production in the next decade. However, the association asked for more state aid. "The UK wine industry is calling on the government to give more support to this indigenous industry," said Beale, referring to EU winemakers.

The world's highest taxes on wine

In the pub, the wine could also come from Great Britain.

(Photo: picture alliance / dpa / SOPA Images via ZUMA Wire)

Wine buyers in Great Britain would have to pay the highest taxes in the world: a bottle of wine would cost an average of 2.23 pounds (2.60 euros), in Germany, Spain or Italy, however, there are none. In the case of sparkling wines, the taxes are much higher.

This affects the English winemakers in particular – because sparkling wines make up around two thirds of wine production in Great Britain. Beale said the success of English sparkling wines resulted in famous champagne producers like Taittinger and Pommery investing in vineyards in southern England. "The calcareous soils and the climate are similar to those in Champagne."

Pandemic benefits too

The industry suffered from the Corona crisis. However, the association also sees benefits from the pandemic. "With more Britons than ever vacationing in the UK, a whole new group of visitors explored the vineyards last summer," said Beale. If the corona restrictions are now gradually lifted – as the government is planning – the wine industry expects a record number of visitors.

According to the association, there are currently more than 770 vineyards in Great Britain; in 2015 there were around 500. That is still a fraction compared to Germany, France, Italy or Spain. Thanks to climate change, viticulture is also spreading in Great Britain. Exports are also increasing, said Beale. "The larger English wine producers are seeing initial successes in the Scandinavian countries, Canada, Australia and Japan." The industry is currently focusing primarily on the USA. There is also a "certain interest" from some EU countries, said Beale. "But the orders are currently quite small."