The best English and Welsh wines to sip this summer
English and Welsh wines continue to go from strength to strength. Drinks expert Susy Atkins selects the best of the current crop of English and Welsh bottles, and gives some food matching suggestions to pair those great British wines with some classic summer dishes.
During English Wine Week (15-23 June) wineries and vineyards will be hosting special tastings, events and feasts – find out more.
Ancre Hill Estates Blanc de Noirs NV, Monmouthshire, Wales 11%
Rich but bone-dry, this champagne-method 100% pinot noir sparkler has complex notes of brioche, apple peel, citrus and toast. Made using organic methods. From £39.25, available from Grape Britannia, Tanners and The Whisky Exchange
Flint Vineyard Précoce 2023, Norfolk 12%
Précoce is an early-ripening clone of pinot noir, here delivering a soft, cherryish red with a smudge of dark chocolate. Relatively light, so do chill it in the summer and pair it with salmon, duck and rare steaks. £24.99, available from Flint Vineyard
I really like this fresh champagne-method fizz from new Sussex winery Everflyht. It has a flavour of lemon meringue pie with a dash of cream, finishing dry. A joyful treat with light savoury canapés – and a good price, too. £28, available from Everflyt
Chalk Hills by Hambledon Vineyard Brut NV, Hampshire 12%
Bright golden, a complex and fascinating English fizz made from the three champagne grapes and aged for two years in the bottle. Expect toasted almonds, citrus and cream among the delectable flavours. Just right for summer celebrations. £35, available from Marks & Spencer (in-store only)
Waitrose Blueprint English Dry White Wine 2023, Surrey 11.5%
Whistle-clean and lemon-zesty – a brand new own-label white made from a mix of grapes, mainly bacchus (a rising star in England). There’s grapefruit too and a herbaceous touch; it’s a refreshing aperitif – or match with simple seafood. £9.99, available from Waitrose
Specially Selected Bowler & Brolly English Rosé, Devon 2022 12%
Dry but more brightly fruity than some paler rosés; think crisp red apples and juicy red cherries. Made from pinot noir, it’s particularly good with cold meats and leafy salads – or try it with tomato couscous. £9.99, available from Aldi
Discover the rest of our drinks recommendations, from new styles to get you out of a wine rut to the best beers to drink with cheese.