Heatwave is good news for UK vineyards

General | 21 July, 2018

The heatwave continues across Britain, bringing perfect conditions for the UK’s vineyards and the potential for a record-breaking harvest.

Chief Executive of the WSTA, Miles Beale, comments:

“2018 is set to be a vintage year for English and Welsh wine following a great start to the growing season. The last bumper year for English wine was back in 2014 when good weather created ideal growing conditions for our grapes, with vineyards across the UK producing the equivalent of 6.3 million bottles of English and Welsh wine that year.

“Since then there has been an increase in the amount of land planted under vine, with one million vines planted in each of the last two years and even more due in 2018. Last year around 5.9 million bottles of English and Welsh wine were produced but vineyards are hoping that 2018 will be even better.

“Thanks to a wet spring followed by the heatwave many of our UK vineyards have benefited from early flowering vines leading to generous grape bunches which are ripening well. The weather, so far, in 2018 is shaping up to provide a bountiful harvest.”