ENGLISH WINE PRODUCERS ANNOUNCE TRADE ACTIVITIES 2011

In what will be another busy year for the UK wine industry, English Wine Producers (EWP) announce their two key trade activities – their trade & press tasting and English Wine Week.

The Trade tasting this year will take place on Thursday 5th May at One Great George Street, London SW1 (10.30am-4.30pm).   The tasting represents the largest line up of English wines from around the country.  English Wine Producers members, whose combined ranges accounts for over 80% of total production, will have their wines displayed on a central table in style order, presenting a fascinating overview of the industry and the styles that are developing.  Representatives from the exhibiting producers will also  be on hand to take visitors through their own ranges of wines.

Two new vineyards appearing on the English wine scene have joined EWP this year:

Jenkyn Place, based in Hampshire, a 15 acre estate dedicated to production of sparkling wine from the traditional varieties.  Owned by Simon Bladon, the first vintage, 2006, was released last year. (www.jenkynplace.co.uk)

Stopham Vineyard, based near Pulborough in West Sussex, is owned and run by Simon Woodhead. Inspired by wines from Alsace, the still white wine varieties of Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc dominate. Bacchus, Auxerrois, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Dornfelder are also planted to allow the production of still white and rosé wines as well some bottles of sparkling. (www.stophamvineyard.co.uk)

Wines from both vineyards will be available for tasting at the trade event.

An additional feature that always generates keen interest is the representation from the regions.  Wines from smaller select vineyards from around the UK offer a unique insight in to the developing styles within each region.  There will be an opportunity to meet some of the representatives and taste the latest vintages of both still and sparkling wines.

The 2010 production figures will be released just prior to the trade tasting and are expected to reveal that for the first time ever, sparkling wines will be the predominant style produced.  With more of the recently-planted hectarage starting to come in to production, volumes produced will continue to show an increase.

English Wine Week 2011 dates are 28th May – 5th June.  This year it falls towards the end of National Wine Month.  The collective focus on the enjoyment of wine with support from all sections of the trade through National Wine Month will provide a perfect introduction to the Week.  English Wine Week provides an excellent opportunity for all sections of the trade to highlight the English wines they stock, engaging with their customers at an appropriately seasonal time of the year.

The end of May is the Spring Bank holiday and people start looking to the summer months ahead which seasonally works well for English wines.  There will be a Welsh Wine Week running at the same time.  EWP are organisers of English Wine Week and provide some relevant point of sale material in the form of leaflets, posters, bunting, shelf talkers and table cards.  “highlighting English wines through an instore tasting or a ‘Wine of the Week’ promotion in a restaurant will effectively put a spotlight on English wines and actively encourage the customer to try an English wine,” comments Julia Trustram Eve of English Wine Producers.  “In addition to the activity within the trade, vineyards themselves will be staging events on site, encouraging people to visit them during the week.   It’s a great way to increase awareness in and appreciation of our wines.”

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NOTE TO EDITORS

The Trade& Press tasting will be by invitation only.  Anyone interested to receive an invitation, please contact English Wine Producers on 01536 772264 or email info@englishwineproducers.com

Any trade interested in participating in English Wine Week, please contact EWP for an information pack.