.jpg)
Monday 11.01.10, 8:48pm
Alison Gardner
As the dawn of 2010 breaks, UK winemakers can pour themselves a celebratory glass to recognise a vintage end to the last decade, following one of the best harvests on record.
Close to perfect weather conditions caused exceptional fruit quality containing some of the highest sugars ever recorded along with good acids and free of botrytis. Although yields varied across the regions, the largest growth area in the South East produced a bumper crop.
“The main pleasure was the cleanliness of the grapes,” comments one grower. Another added that they have “probably harvested some of the best quality grapes ever.” One winemaker stated that 2009 is “potentially one of the best vintages for wine quality of the decade.”
Future prospects also look good, with a number of new vineyards now coming into full production; volumes look to be higher than previous years and could potentially succeed the record 2006 figures of over 3 million bottles.
All things considered, the UK is now looking forward to a top quality batch of wines from the 2009 crop; the only downside is that thirsty consumers will have to wait to sample them! The first of the 2009 still wines will be available to taste at the English Wine Trade & Press Tasting, taking place on Friday, April 23 in Central London. English Wine Week 2010 will take place from Saturday, May 29 to Sunday June, 6.
Get your hands on a fab selection of UK wines at Harvey Nichols Manchester, Second Floor Wine Shop.
web: www.harveynichols.com
Find out who are Manchester's Top Eating and Drinking Venues 
A guide to the very best Restaurants in Greater Manchester
Find out where to go for lunchtime dining! Quick and light food at reasonable prices.
Your guide to Pubs in Manchester. Quality beers and ales served in a traditional British setting
The best Bars in town. Great drinks, cool venues, lively environments
The city's best Coffee houses. Sit back and relax or pop in for a quick pick-me-up!
Taste of Manchester is brought to you by Manchester Food & Drink Festival.
Have you been in one of Taste Top venues? Do you want to tell us about your night out in Manchester or nearby?
This is the chance to give your opinions.
Send us your lines: Taste of Manchester’s team may select your story and publish it on-line!
Write an e-mail to reviews@tasteofmanchester.com.