Sparkling growth of UK vineyards

There were nearly 50% more vines growing in the UK in 2008 than four years ago, according to newly released figures.

Around 1,160 hecares of vines had been planted in the UK by last year, a 45% increase on 2004, trade body English Wine Producers has said, citing new figures released by the Department of Food, Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

It says the figure is proof of the growing confidence in English wine.

"My own estimate is that the planted area in 2008 was nearer 1,250 ha," said Stephen Skelton MW, author of the UK Vineyards Guide, which includes extensive figures from the industry going back 30 years.

"At least 100ha of vines were planted in 2009, bringing the grand total, as of the end of May 2009, to around 1,350 ha," Skelton estimated.

Traditional 'Champagne' grape varieties of chardonnay and pinot noir account for 17% and 19% of vines planted, due to the domaninance of sparkling wine in the UK's fledgling industry.

Grocery retailer Waitrose, part of the John Lewis Partnership, has become the first of the country's supermarket chains to plant its own vineyard in the UK.

"We're focusing on the sparkling blends," a Waitrose spokesperson told just-drinks today (17 June). The group has planted four hectares of vines at its Leckford Estate in Hampshire, but the wine is not expected to be ready for sale for five years.

In 2008, Waitrose saw English wine sales rise by 18%. 

"We already have around a 60% share of the English wine market against other multiple retailers. We try to keep it very local, so we're offering Sussex wines in our Sussex stores." the spokesperson said. 

A full break-down of UK vine plantings is held on the Vineyards Register by the Food Standards Agency's Wine Standards Branch. The information is not on public release and at least one Freedom of Information request has been declined.