What Kind Of Wine Is Made In The Uk?

The production of wine is predominantly known in the warmer regions of countries such as France, Italy and Spain. However, the UK has a variety of excellent wines to offer despite having the odds of the wrong temperature as well as the wrong soil stacked against them. In fact, many potential vineyard businesses have collapsed due to the UK’s immense lack of sunshine.

Unfortunately the vast majority of Brits are actually unaware of their own country’s wines. This could be down to stereotype or prejudice, or even a lack of information, as most people simply are not aware that there even is a wine industry in the UK. So, if this sounds like you, then you are certainly not alone.

When asked to name a UK made wine, the chances are that you would name the Liverpool manufactured Lambrini are quite high. However, Lambrini isn’t in fact a wine but a light Perry. Some wines that are branded by companies (predominantly sold in bulk, in supermarkets) are known as ‘British wines’, however, they are not really British at all. Whilst they are made into a ‘wine’ in this country, they are actually made up from grape juices that have been imported from other countries, such as Italy. In fact, these types of wines are more like a sherry, than wine.

So, what kinds of wine are really made in the UK, from British-grown vineyards? Here’s our guide to help you fill up those iron wine racks.

Based in Gloucestershire, the Three Choirs Vineyard offers nine excellent wines:

• Bacchus, a dry wine containing elderflower, asparagus and nettles amongst other ingredients
• Classic Cuvee, a sparkling wine that is often compared to champagne (albeit a darn-sight cheaper)
• Coleridge Hill, a dry wine containing nettles
• English House Dry, a fruity and dry wine
• English House Medium Dry, a very fruity white wine with a touch of spice for flavour
• May Hill, a medium wine that is both fruity and herby in flavour
• Rose, a fruity concoction of summer fruits to tantalise the taste buds
• Siegerrebe, a classic dry wine that is fruity and herby
• Willow Brook, perhaps the most popular of all of the Three Choirs Vineyard’s wines.

The Orkney wine company, who are not surprisingly, based in Orkney offer ten varieties of Scottish wine.

• 18 Carat, ironically containing carrots and created using malt whiskey
• Black Portent, is a port-based wine that is smooth and very fruity to taste
• Blaeberry Hairst, is a blueberry-based wine that is best served with fine cuts of Scottish meat
• Cranberry, a dry wine that isn’t just made from cranberries, but also a variety of other berries
• Elderberry Borealis, taking its name from the Aurora Borealis (or the Northern Lights), is a matured fruity wine that has a good spicy kick to it.
• Orkney Rose, a soft rose wine with a very light flavour, perfectly paired with lighter meals, such as white meats and fish
• Raspberrylicious, a Raspberry-based wine that is full of fruit and compliments any dessert.
• Strubarb, a beautiful combination of delicious strawberries and yummy rhubarb to create this fresh and delightfully fruity wine
• Taak Hid Sloe is Orkney Wine Company’s newest addition. This brambly wine tastes beautiful with chocolate
• Very Berry is a fun and fruity wine, bursting with fresh berries.

There are of course only a small array of the wines that could be filling your iron wine rack soon, but they are all fabulous and definitely worth a taste, especially if you are looking to try some of the UK’s finest wines.

By: Vincent A Rogers

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Vincent Norman writes for a number of UK businesses. For Iron Wine Racks he recommends Cast in Style.