Royal Family to make own wine

By Alan Lodge 2011-5-5 17:51:42

The Chapel Down English wine served at William and Kate’s wedding last week must have gone down well, as the Royal Family are reportedly set to produce their very own wine from grapes grown on the historic Windsor Great Park.

The Telegraph reports that 16,700 vines will be planted shortly in a section of the former hunting park, which proved a huge favourite of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

According to the paper, the vineyard will be planted with Champagne varieties – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier – with a view to producing an English fizz.

The Duke of Edinburgh is apparently heavily involved in the project, which is being advised by Chapel Down founder Stephen Skelton MW.

“It is quite simply the biggest boost the English wine industry has ever had,” Bob Lindo of Camel Valley vineyards told he paper. “It’s fantastic.”

The news comes as new figures revealed English wines enjoyed their most successful year ever last year, with a record 30,346 hectolitres produced – the equivalent of over four million bottles.

From www.thedrinksbusiness.com