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.
âThe main pleasure was the cleanliness of the grapes,â? comments one grower. Another added that they have âprobably harvested some of the best quality grapes ever.â? One winemaker stated that 2009 is âpotentially one of the best vintages for wine quality of the decade.â?
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