Putting English wine on the map
ENGLISH WINE WEEK
Putting English wine on the map
ENGLISH Wine Week kicks off tomorrow with the aim of grabbing market share from imports and reversing the decline in sales seen since foot-and-mouth.
The initiative, which will see vineyards across the country open for special events and tastings, runs in tandem with a wine promotional drive by regional food group A Taste of the South East.
"With more and more people popping the cork on quality wines, encouraged by a broadening choice of countries and varieties, now is the time to promote English as an exciting alternative to these ubiquitous French and aggressive New World producers," says A Taste of the South Easts Jo Cummings.
"And with more English wine being produced today than at any time since the Middle Ages when a combination of pestilence, climate change and cheap imports sent the UK industry into decline, its about time they enjoyed a comeback."
A new wine guide aims to persuade more people to visit vineyards and wineries, many of which have seen sales hit by the downturn in countryside trips. "Vineyards were among the many surprise casualties of foot-and-mouth," says Ms Cummings.
• For more details of English Wine Week, which runs from May 26 to June 3, telephone 01536-772264.