The Rise of English still wines

“Once dismissed as a curiosity, English still wine is emerging as a serious category – but how far can it realistically go?”

James Lawrence at The IWC reports…

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"There is definitely a structural and economic dimension to this change. Sparkling wine, while foundational to England's success, is capital-intensive and slow to bring to market," agrees Sergio Verrillo, co-founder of Blackbook Winery.

"Still wines offer producers greater flexibility and faster cash flow, encouraging further investment and experimentation in the category. As a result, still wines are no longer treated as secondary products, but as an essential part of a balanced and commercially viable portfolio."

Meanwhile, a series of warmer, drier summers over the past decade have improved ripening conditions, with recent harvests delivering a step-change in fruit quality and consistency.

"At the same time, increased climatic volatility has forced producers to adapt quickly. This has accelerated the industry's understanding of site selection, with regions such as Sussex, Kent and Essex now consistently delivering riper, more balanced fruit," Verrillo adds.