Toni Osoba looks beyond sparkling to assess the styles and regions driving growth in UK wine

With over 1,100 vineyards in the UK at the time of writing, it’s hard to ignore the speed at which the UK (predominantly English and Welsh) wine industry is growing. Ten years ago, when asked about premium alcoholic beverages produced in Britain, the first thought for many would have been its well-established spirits industry. Today, however, UK wines have made a global name for themselves and it’s set to only get more exciting.

Historically, the cooler climate meant grapes had less opportunity to fully ripen, resulting in wines with naturally high acidity. This is a characteristic that lends itself particularly well to sparkling wines, where acidity plays a key role in balance, structure and freshness. As a result, sparkling wines – particularly those made using the traditional method – have long dominated the UK wine industry, earning international recognition and helping to establish credibility for the category as a whole.

Despite sparkling wines building up such a fantastic reputation in the wine world, there are many sceptics who believe the UK’s still wines could never compare. Some have just never tried them, while others are holding on to outdated perceptions of UK wine, harking back to the 1970s. But the present and the future are looking very bright for the still wine industry in the UK.

First, due to warmer temperatures, grapes are now able to ripen further, creating less acidic profiles which lend themselves to still wines. In addition, there have been tremendous advances in winemaking techniques and this has vastly improved the quality of what can now be produced here. It takes quite a lot to get the aforementioned sceptics to try a still UK wine, but I’ve found that when they do, they’re often pleasantly surprised.

Powerful Proposition

Beyond scepticism, there is also the challenge of awareness. Many consumers simply don’t know that still wines are produced here and are shocked when they find they can get a delicious Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir or Gamay made right here in the UK and to a high standard. This discovery presents a powerful opening for retailers to reframe consumer perceptions of UK wine. While a customer may be on the hunt for an English sparkling wine as a gift or for a special occasion, there is a fantastic opportunity for them to also leave with a still wine they can crack open that evening.

From a regional perspective, the south east of England remains the most established and recognised region for winemaking in the UK. This is thanks to it being home to some of the warmest, sunniest and driest parts of the UK and, of course, chalky soils similar to those found in Champagne. I am constantly impressed by the still as well as sparkling wines coming out of the south east, but there are other regions of the UK making waves.

Many of these lesser-known winemaking regions have actually been making wine for decades, but most consumers have not been aware of this. Wales, for example, is now home to approximately 60 vineyards, many of which show consistent quality. While English counties such as Herefordshire are producing some of my favourite still red wines of all time (long live the Rondo grape), regions further north including Yorkshire and Staffordshire are really adding to our remit of wine styles, with incredible Pinot Noirs and late-harvest dessert wines as just a couple of examples. This geographical spread is truly adding a new layer of interest and complexity to the UK wine landscape.

Encouragingly, momentum is building, as Lee Dyer of Winbirri Vineyard, the first UK producer to win a major international trophy for a still wine at the 2017 Decanter World Wine Awards, explains: “We’ve seen strong growth in both bottle sales and consumer interest in English still wines. It used to be challenging to get people to try them, but awareness has grown significantly and public perception has really shifted — the pendulum has tipped. Another great indicator is that English still wines are now appearing on restaurant wine lists, not just in high-end venues but across a much broader range of establishments.”

All these aspects create a compelling value proposition, delivering genuine satisfaction as consumers encounter the unexpected, whether that’s a wine from a lesser-known region or a style that challenges their assumptions. UK wines offer remarkable breadth, from light, fruit-driven reds to complex pét-nats, truly something to suit every palate.

There is a significant opportunity to guide consumers on a journey of discovery, through in-store tastings and rich storytelling by producers, bringing each bottle to life and deepening engagement. While sparkling wines will continue to lead the way, the growth of still wines and recognition of regions across the UK point to an exciting, dynamic future for the industry and, for those willing to embrace it, a real opportunity to shape the perception of UK wines.