British wine manufacturers are believed to have smashed grape production records this year and are optimistic 2023 will be a good vintage, according to an industry body.
WineGB said a “miracle” crop – thanks to strong yields, new vine plantations and good weather – meant an estimated 20 million to 22 million bottles would be produced.
It said the four main varieties of grape grown in the country had performed “exceptionally well”.
They are Chardonnay – found in many sparkling wines – Pinot Noir, Meunier and Bacchus.
The body said the harvest was tipped to be 50% bigger than previous record year 2018.
Its report, which was based on findings compiled by UK viticulture consultant Stephen Skelton, said 2023 “will be remembered as a near-perfect year”.
There was “very little spring frost” and “textbook flowering weather in June”, with some “exceptionally warm spells in September and October”.
Picking began with earlier ripening varieties on 2 September, before the picking of major varieties in the larger regions spanned the first three weeks of October.
It added while “ripeness levels were lower than average, as were acids, winemakers are optimistic about the quality of the fruit and resulting wine”.
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The report said the highest yields were achieved in the drier and warmer regions of East Anglia, the South East, and Wessex (Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset, Isle of Wight).
While 2023 promises to be a solid year for the sector, it remains to be seen if the 2023 vintage will maintain pressure on the more established wine-growing nations.
UK-produced wines have won clutches of awards, often at the expense of famous names in France, which has seen vineyards come under pressure from the effects of climate change.
Nicola Bates, chief executive of WineGB, said: “UK consumers are drinking more and more home produce and at the same time exports are going up, especially in the Nordics and Japan.
“We look forward to having more wine to present to our growing consumer base.”
