With the standard of English wine on the rise, the demand for wine tasting in the UK is higher than ever. The quality and quantity of wines from England and Wales have been boosted by warmer British summers over recent years. As a result, vineyards offering refined and delicious tasting wines have sprung up all over the UK.
So, from the countryside to the capital, here are our picks for the nine best wine tasting places in Britain.
Ridge View
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Looking out the tasting room window, the inspiration for the name is clear. Beyond the vines stretching across the valley, the landscape rises towards the chalk escarpment of the South Downs, which separates the vineyard from Brighton and the sea. It's not just a beautiful sight – it also helps explain why the wine industry is booming in this part of Sussex.
Ridgeview's mixture of clay and chalk in the soil is well suited to the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir found in Champagne and sparkling wines, and the moderating influence of the English Channel on winter frosts improves the chances of a good harvest on the northern edge of European wines. nation.
The winery is open daily between 11am and 4pm for free tastings (and sales). Tours can be booked in advance for £20 per person, and sometimes 'collaboration dinners' pair Ridgeview wines with food cooked by chefs working at top local restaurants. For a stay near Ridgeview or any of Sussex's other vineyards, try the charming Ockenden Manor, which serves English wines with its own tasting menu.
Book your Ridgeview tasting here
Polite me
About five miles away, just off the A23, lies Bolney Wine Estate, a thriving winery established in 1972, but which has expanded greatly in recent years. In addition to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Polney also grows Pinot Gris and Bacchus, from which he makes established varieties (Estate Bacchus is a crisp, tart alternative to New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc).
Sparkling whites account for about half of the production, but Polny also flies the flag for red wine with a light, aromatic Pinot Noir, and a somewhat controversial Cuvee Noir. You can experience it for yourself at one of several tasting events, from a 45-minute tour and tasting of three wines (£10) to the Grand Gourmet Tour (£45), which includes a two-course lunch and a paired tasting plate with five wines and a dram of Paul me Jane.
Book here
Greyfriars
About 30 miles northwest of Ridgeview, on the south-facing slope of the North Downs, is Greyfriars Vineyard. “Our land is a south-facing slope consisting of several hundred feet of freely draining chalk with about six inches of interspersed topsoil,” says winemaker Mike Wagstaff. “It's not great for some crops, but it's perfect for the vines.”
It has a history dating back 30 years – a long time in English wine production – although production only began on a commercial basis in 2010. Now it produces 13 still and sparkling wines, including an oaky white wine priced at £23 £, and away from it all. – Conquer Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris grapes for £13.50.
Vineyard tours, priced at £20, can be booked in advance on the Greyfriars website and include expert-led tastings – plus a 10% discount on any wine purchased on the day.
Book here
(Rathfinney in East Sussex).
Rathfinney, hidden in the hills of neighboring East Sussex, is the work of Sarah Driver, a former city solicitor, and her husband Mark, who worked as a founder of a hedge fund management group before deciding in 2009 to pursue a degree in winemaking at Plumpton University. college.
Skip ahead a decade and the purchase of a £10m plot of land, and Rathfinny has begun rolling out its long-awaited first products – two exquisite sparkling wines sold under the 'Sussex Sparkling' label, which the winery has successfully sought to make a protected category.
What sets Rathfinny apart is its rather laid-back nature, offering guests a cozy place to stay at the on-site property, The Flint Barns. With just ten rooms of exposed red brick, this exclusive hotel is the perfect place to sample some of the best white wines the UK has to offer.
Book here
Langham Wine Estate, Dorset
At this eco-friendly vineyard in the heart of the country's west, hand-harvested grapes are processed on-site “using a mix of old and new methods, which visitors are talked through on two-hour guided tours,” according to Country. Living.
And if you're enjoying an afternoon of wine tasting, a sumptuous selection of lunches and afternoon teas are available in the nearby milking parlor. With wines made only from classic Champagne grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, this is a high-quality wine – be sure not to miss the Rose NV which is full of wonderful berry flavours.
Book here
(Valley of Beauty in Cornwall).
Comprising 82 acres of rolling hills bathed in southern sunshine, Camel Valley is the largest vineyard in Cornwall.
Visitors can join a number of tours and tasting sessions, or sit on a stone-clad terrace, sipping a Pinot Noir Rose Brut as they watch the sun set over the vineyards that descend to the River Camel as it meanders from Bodmin Moor to Padstow.
After sipping your Cornish wine, head back to one of the cozy self-catering cottages on site for a well-deserved break.
Book here
Llanairsh Vineyard in the Vale of Glamorgan
We couldn't leave this list without at least one mention of Welsh wine, an untapped gem in the British Isles. Located in the countryside near Cardiff, Llanerch has been quietly producing award-winning wines since 1986.
So, get your best gear on (it can get muddy!) and book a tour of the grounds, complete with generous wine tasting, before stopping at the vineyard's Cariad restaurant, where excellent food awaits.
Book here
Quaglino, London
Winemaking is an art form that emerges from the rolling countryside and lush green landscapes, but sometimes connoisseurship can benefit from the elegant luxury that only a big city can provide. Enter Quaglino's, an exclusive bar located a stone's throw from the Ritz in Mayfair.
Although their tasting evenings are remarkably rare and not widely advertised, good things come to those who wait. Some of the finest wines from every corner of the world are brought to you as you marvel at the fiery bartenders, savor the accompanying foods and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. This is wine tasting at its cutting edge and excitement.
Book here
