The Wine GB 2020 awards announced this week

At the Wine GB 2020 awards announced this week, the top sparkling wine trophy was awarded to Hampshire winery Hattingley Valley for their King’s Cuvée.

Black Chalk Winery, another Hampshire vineyard, took home the Newcomer of the Year trophy.

Sussex-based wineries Wiston Estate and Sugrue South Downs, won Winery of the Year and Boutique Producer of the Year respectively.

The top still wine trophy went to Kent’s Chapel Down for its Kit’s Coty Chardonnay 2017.

2019 was a huge year for English wineries with sales of English wines up 70% to an estimated 5.5 million bottles up from 3.2 million in 2018.
Export sales took off as well in 2019, with exports now accounting for 10% of total sales. Norway and the Nordic markets make up the largest market followed by the US, Canada, Australia and Japan.

The domestic market accounts for 90% of sales, with 50% sold through pubs, restaurants and wine retailers and the remaining 40% in direct sales to consumers either through online 7% or the cellar door 29%.