English wine has moved from a niche market to one of the most dynamic cool climate categories in Europe. Producers are gaining international attention for sparkling wines, as well as increasingly strong still wines. With rising global demand and expanding vineyard plantings, UK wine exports grew by 35% in the last reported period, with growing demand being recognised across European countries.
To support this momentum, WineGB held dedicated trade tastings in Amsterdam and Brussels and brought together leading English wine producers to showcase the strength and potential of English wine on the global market – two influential hubs shaping the future of European wine buying.
These tastings reinforced that the international stage is ready for English wine and the interest we saw demonstrated the ambition behind the category is only getting stronger.
As global interest accelerates and supply grows, there is increasing scope to introduce English wines into new markets, build premium portfolios, and meet rising consumer curiosity for cool climate, sustainably produced wines, with strong provenance. With sustained investment in vineyards and wineries, expanding plantings, and a growing pool of skilled winemakers, English wine continues to gain recognition at home and on the international stage.
Nicola Bates, WineGB CEO said: “Export is one of the primary growth engines for the English wine sector. International demand for the cool climate wines produced in the UK is accelerating at pace and the sharpest demand is coming from countries such as Norway, Japan and the US, where English wine is competing confidently with established global benchmarks. At WineGB we work with the UK department for trade to build export promotion programmes, to showcase English and Welsh wines in major global cities.”
