UK's 2006 vintage one of highest

The UK has produced one of its highest volumes on record for the 2006 vintage, according to figures just released. Last year’s harvest will produce 3,369,000 bottles, making it the third-highest volume since production records began.

Julia Trustram Eve, Marketing Manager of English Wine Producers, said, ‘This is excellent news. Demand for English wines has been definitely increasing as more and more consumers become aware of English wines and the variety and styles they offer, and this is backed up by sales, rising year on year.’

The number of hectares under vine also increased from the previous year – from 793 hectares to 923 hectares – and 12 more vineyards were established, taking the total to 362. The increase in vineyard area, which is primarily for sparkling wine production, is a third larger than in 2004 and should increase production by a further 58 per cent.

However, the UK hasn’t yet hit the quantities that make us officially a wine-producing country as far as the EU is concerned. This requires an average of 3.3 million bottles over five consecutive years. At present, our average is 2.1 million bottles, according to Julia, who says we are likely to hit the figures in three years’ time.