1. Wine Guide
2. -
3. Wine Regions
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5. England

• East Anglia

• Surrey

• Kent

• Sussex

• Hampshire

• East Anglia

  

  An Introduction to East Anglia

  East Anglia is a traditional region in Eastern England, comprising the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk and, more loosely, Cambridgeshire and Essex. One of the driest and sunniest regions in Britain, it has patches of land within its borders that are perfect for growing cool climate grapes. The Bacchus variety is well-suited to the drier climate, with more than half of British Bacchus production coming from East Anglian vineyards. Pinot Noir is also commonly planted in the region and you’ll often come across plantings of other grape varieties as well, including Solaris, Madeleine Angevine, Reichensteiner, Schonburger, Seyval and Pinot Blanc.

  Climate and Geography

  Situated North East of London, East Anglia has been highlighted as an area to look out for in English wine production. Various pockets of land in Norfolk and Suffolk have the favourable combination soil of clay, silt and sand (known as loam soil) that’s ideal for growing plants. Combined with the lower average annual rainfall and higher average sunshine hours, south-facing hills within the region are particularly favourable for growing vines. The aromatic, elegant wines of East Anglia have been winning an impressive number of national awards and trophies, as well as receiving the recognition they deserve on an international scale.

  

  Red Varieties

  Pinot Noir, Schönburger

  

  White Varieties

  Bacchus, Solaris, Reichensteiner, Seyval Blanc

  

  Climate

  Cool, maritime

  

  Landscape

  Flat

  

  Soil

  Loam, sand, clay

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• Surrey

  

  An Introduction to Surrey

  Surrey is bordered by London to the North, Kent to the East, Sussex to the South and Hampshire to the West. The region is home to five of the country’s leading producers, who together form the Vineyards of the Surrey Hills. The primary grapes grown by Surrey producers are the traditional champagne grape varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. When touring the vineyards however, you may come across small plots of other grape varieties, including Seyval Blanc, Pinot Gris, Bacchus, Ortega and Reichensteiner.

  Climate and Geography

  The Surrey Hills are a section of the rolling North Downs, a ridge of chalk hills stretching from Farnham at the very West of Surrey, all the way to the white cliffs of Dover on the South East coast. These southern-facing slopes consist of chalky soils made up of the remains of ancient marine fossils, and they are identical to the soil found in the Champagne region of France. When you consider the sheltered countryside and plentiful sunshine (in a good year), these conditions are more than suitable for growing cool climate grape varieties and producing quality sparkling wines. With a terroir similar to that of its neighbours, Sussex and Kent, you’ll often find that wines from these three regions share similar tasting notes. Expect chalky wines, with a mineral character and bright acidity.

  

  Red Varieties

  Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier

  

  White Varieties

  Chardonnay, Pinot Gris

  

  Climate

  Cool, maritime

  

  Landscape

  Hilly

  

  Soil

  Limestone, chalk

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• Kent

  

  An Introduction to Kent

  Situated just to the East of Sussex is Kent, another leading region for wine production in the UK. Its coastline is formed by the famous white cliffs of Dover and it’s situated just across the English Channel from Calais. Often referred to as the ‘Garden of England’ due to its abundance of fruit-filled orchards, Kent is home to around 50 vineyards and a host of leading wineries. Among these are Chapel Down, the leading winemaker in the country, and the regions oldest commercial vineyard, Biddenden.

  Back in the 1970s, the main grape varieties grown in Kent were Reichensteiner and Huxelrebe. Nowadays, other cool-climate grapes such as Ortega and Bacchus are more commonly planted, along with the classic champagne grapes of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Famous Champagne producer Taittinger recognised the region’s potential to produce traditional method sparkling and purchased land in Kent back in 2015, making them the first Champagne house to invest in the English wine industry.

  Climate and Geography

  Just like Sussex, Kent has a slightly warmer climate when compared with the rest of the country, making it a more viable location for the growing of fruit and farming. The North Downs are a ridge of chalk hills that run across the northern part of the region. They provide free-draining chalk and limestone soil, similar to that of the Champagne region in France, as well as ideal south-facing slopes which ensure vines receive optimal sunlight. With these conditions, the region is equipped to make some seriously good sparkling wines. You’ll often hear Kent wines described as having a mineral nose, refreshing high acidity and notes of apples and pears.

  

  Red Varieties

  Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier

  

  White Varieties

  Ortega, Bacchus, Chardonnay

  

  Climate

  Cool, maritime

  

  Landscape

  Hilly

  

  Soil

  Limestone, chalk

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• Sussex

  

  An Introduction to Sussex

  Sussex is one of the oldest and largest counties in England, divided into its West and East districts back in 1932. Home to the largest cluster of vineyards in the UK, it now accounts for roughly a quarter of English wine production, with plantings over 700 hectares and more than 30 different wine producers. The south-facing slopes of Sussex and its generally cool climate make suitable growing conditions for the classic Champagne grape varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. In fact, sparkling wine produced in southern England is now competing, and winning, on an international stage. Award-winning producers including Ridgeview Wine Estate and Rathfinny Wine Estate operate within the borders of Sussex, helping the region earn global recognition for its sparkling wines.

  Climate and Geography

  Located in the far south-east of England, Sussex is known for its picturesque countryside and its fast-corroding white cliffs which run along the English Channel. It’s one of the warmest regions within the British Isles and generally sees less rainfall, although weather can still be an issue for local winemakers (this is England, after all).

  The rolling chalk hills of the South Downs run through both West and East Sussex, providing the region with free-draining chalk soils ideal for viticulture. In fact, the soils of Sussex are identical to those found in the famous Champagne region of France, which helps viticulturists to produce top quality grapes for sparkling wine. Wines produced in this region will often reflect the soils in which the grapes are grown, which is why you’ll commonly hear Sussex wines described as being chalky or having a strong mineral character.

  

  Red Varieties

  Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier

  

  White Varieties

  Bacchus, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc

  

  Climate

  Cool, maritime

  

  Landscape

  Hilly

  

  Soil

  Limestone, chalk

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• Hampshire

  

  An Introduction to Hampshire

  Another southern-based region making a name for itself in the English wine industry is Hampshire. Usually renowned for its seaside resorts, Hampshire is also home to the UK’s first modern commercial vineyard, The Hambledon Vineyard, which opened in 1952 and sparked the revival of English wines. The vast majority of viticulture in Hampshire involves the traditional Champagne varietals, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier, which are well-suited to the region’s terroir. Because of this, the county now lays claim to a host of multi-award winning sparkling producers.

  Climate and Geography

  Hampshire is a very rural area situated in central southern England, bordered to the East by Surrey and West Sussex. The majority of its vineyards occupy the South East of the county, in the rolling hills of the South Downs. These hills replicate the terroir of the Champagne region in France, providing the free-draining chalk soils necessary to cope with English rainfall. Usually relatively cool, climate change has enabled viticulturists to produce better quality grapes in recent years, which is evident in the resulting sparkling wines. Produce from Hampshire is often described as having racy acidity, a chalky minerality and incredible freshness, common themes among wines produced in Southern England.

  

  Red Varieties

  Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier

  

  White Varieties

  Chardonnay

  

  Climate

  Cool, maritime

  

  Landscape

  Hilly

  

  Soil

  Chalk, greensand

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