Climate boost for British vineyards

While the UK is not world renowned for its vineyards, the country’s wine industry could benefit as temperatures rise.

Research led by the University of East Anglia suggests that areas of the UK could soon experience climates similar to famous wine growing regions in France and Germany.

Over the next 20 years as our global climate warms many industries will struggle to adapt but will allow UK vineyards to grow famous varieties such as sauvignon blanc and still pinot noir.

Since the 1980s the southeast and east of England has warmed by over one degree during the wine growing season which will continue to rise in years to come.

Evidence of the changing conditions can be seen in the spread of UK viticulture from 761 hectares in 2004 to 3,800 hectares in 2021 with more than 800 vineyards in operation.

In 2018 an abnormally dry season resulted in a record 15.6 million bottles of wine produced. From 2021 to 2040 vast swathes of England and Wales will regularly see similar conditions creating a new world for British vineyards.