My Climate Change Garden

The effects of climate change will bring many more vineyards to the UK countryside over the next 50 years, according to Julia Trustram Eve of the English Wine Producers Association.

” In the last seven years, the number of vineyards in the UK has increased from 333 to 416. We think this trend will continue and in 50 years we will see more vineyards further north. And, if the temperature in Champagne region – currently about 1-2c hotter than Kent and Sussex – goes up by just a couple of degrees, it will alter the character of champagne. This could provide a real opportunity for sparkling wine to become a key part of our rural economy.”

Commercial wine production in the UK is still very small – only about 100 vineyards make a viable profit as currently the harvest varies from 1.5 million to 3.5 million bottles per year due to unpredictable weather. However, there has been a 90% increase in sales of UK wines since 2007 and, if summers become warmer and less wet, production is set to soar – particularly of white sparking wines produced on the chalky soil of the South Downs.

As a result, Champagne House such as Louis Roederer are already sniffiing out suitable sites in the South Downs as English fizz starts to win international wine awards. The Romans knew what they were doing when they planted the first UK vines many centuries ago!

Vines are fairly easy to grow if you have chalky, well drained, even gravel-like soil .They need nutrients so be sure to mix in some very well rotted manure when planting – if its not well rotted, the manure will “burn” the roots.

Securing a good crop of grapes after a few years of growth can be more challenging – take a look at the following sites for hints, tips and inspiration to create your own vineyard for pleasure or profit.

http://www.vinesforwines.co.uk/

http://www.winehub.co.uk/acatalog/vineyards.html

http://www.viticulture.co.uk/notes.html

http://www.gardenadvice.co.uk/howto/fruit/grapevine/index.html

http://www.my-grape-vine.com/

http://www.wine-searcher.com/merchants/uk,winery,13