2009 hailed as vintage of the decade

As 2010 begins, the 2009 vintage in England is being hailed as one of the best ever by a number of winemakers and possibly the best of the decade. Volumes are looking to be considerably higher than the last two years and could even exceed the record figures for 2006 of 3 million bottles.

The year began with very little frost in the vineyards followed by a near perfect period of warm late spring and early summer weather during flowering. A wet July, bringing much needed moisture to the vines gave way to a warm autumn prolonging the growing season. Across the country the fruit quality was exceptional, with high sugar levels and good acids.

We'll have to wait a few months before we can taste the 2009s and longer yet for the sparkling wines in 2011/2012. As Mike Roberts of Ridgeview summed it up, 2009 was all in all and fantastic year and a pretty wonderful build up for the London Olympics!