Sparkling wine dominates 2010 UK production

The 2010 vintage in England looks set to be one of the highest on record due to new vineyards coming into production for the first time and higher than average yields. 2010 produced some challenges for growers with a cold winter followed by spring frosts and ending with cooler, damper weather in late summer, which led to some sites being affected by mildew. But the vines produced good quantities of clean fruit overall.

For the first time, more than 50% of the grapes went towards producing sparkling wine and half the area under vine is now planted with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.