2013 A Good English Vintage

English wine producers are confident that this year’s crop can banish memories of last year’s rain sodden harvest as picking comes to an end across the country.  Unlike many counterparts in France, English wine producers are reporting 2013 to be one of their better harvests of the past years. 

There are no official projections for size of harvest but quantity is almost certain to be up on last year and according to Julia Trustram Eve, marketing director for trade body English Wine Producers , and a good vintage is anticipated.

The team at Chapel Down are upbeat, citing the potential for ‘excellent fruit flavours’ and in the south western region of Cornwall, Camel Valley picked their Pinot Noir and Rondo early.

Bolney Estates MD and winemaker Sam Linter said that their harvest was around two weeks late, but the vines stayed green and healthy, allowing the grapes to catch the last bit of ripening and that their  Pinot Noir for red wine was looking ‘particularly good’.

Conversely, Austrian and French vineyards are facing their fourth consecutive small harvest in 2013 thanks to a combination of hail, which destroyed millions of pounds worth of crops across the country, drought and generally bad weather conditions during flowering.

All in all, not bad news for the English wine industry!