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wine community continues to grow rapidly in the UK. According to figures from the government organisation Food Standards Agency, 87 new vineyards were registered last year, nine per cent more than in 2022. The total number of vineyards is now 1,030, which means that in 2023 there will be more than 1,000 for the first time. The number of wineries rose from 209 to 221, the total area under cultivation is 4,209 hectares, which corresponds to a growth rate of 123 per cent over the past ten years.
In 2023, 161,960 hectolitres of wine or 21.6 million bottles were produced, 77 per cent more than in 2022. The five-year average of production rose from 10.7 to 12.4 million bottles. The large harvest volume could be used by producers to build up larger stocks of reserve wines for sparkling wines.
Last year, 51 different grape varieties were planted, bringing the total number to 90. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier dominate, but their share fell from 71 per cent in 2021 to 68 per cent. Piwis now make up eight per cent of the total area. The most important Piwi varieties are Seyval Blanc, Solaris, Rondo and Regent. According to the umbrella organisation WineGB, 76 per cent of the wine produced was sparkling wine, 23 per cent still wine and one per cent other products such as Vermouth. Two thirds of still wines are white, 20 per cent rosé and 13 per cent red.
Sales of English and Welsh wine increased by ten per cent to 8.8 million bottles despite the decline in wine consumption. Since 2018, sales of sparkling wine have risen by 187 per cent from 2.2 million to 6.2 million bottles. Sales of still wine increased by 117 per cent from 1.2 million to 2.6 million bottles.
(al / source: harpers.co.uk)