PRESS RELEASE - 26th APRIL 2005

NEW COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO THE VINEYARDS OF ENGLAND AND WALES TO BE PUBLISHED

The 2005 Wine Guild Guide To English & Welsh Vineyards

A new guide, listing the top vineyards in England and Wales, will be published shortly and launched during English Wine Week 2005.

Produced by the Wine Guild of the United Kingdom, with support from Food From Britain as part of its DEFRA funded programme of regional food and drink promotion, The Wine Guild Guide identifies the leading vineyards and includes listings of over 130 vineyards around the country.

The Wine Guild Guide includes articles by prominent experts on viticulture and winemaking, outlining some of the key qualities of UK viticulture and wines. Additionally, Maggie McNie MW gives her authoritative overview on developing trends in English and Welsh wines, having tasted some 100 wines from 25 vineyards exclusively for the guide, assisted by Richard Bampfield MW and members of the Wine Guild of the United Kingdom.

“I have been really impressed with the wines I tasted,” remarks Maggie. “It is proof to me that English and Welsh wines of all styles now offer real choice and value, and are worth getting to know better.”

Some 40 of the leading vineyards from around the country are highlighted through full, half-page, or directory entries, and a listing of all vineyards by region is also included, along with maps identifying the location of all vineyards featured. The guide not only offers an invaluable insight to vineyards and their wines; it is a useful directory of those that are open to the public. Being launched during English Wine Week, which itself marks the start of the English wine tourism season, this guide is a must for any wine lover.

The Wine Guild Guide was the brainchild of Michael Hildersley and Colin Vaughan, both Wine Guild members. “There is a wealth of guides available for every other wine-producing region, and we felt it was high time to have a similar one for the vineyards and wineries of the UK,” comments Colin Vaughan. “The UK wine industry has achieved so much on a world-footing in recent years, that it deserves a useful reference guide such as this to inform wine enthusiasts and show them where the vineyards can be found.”

It is planned that this guide will be updated annually, to ensure the very latest information on English and Welsh vineyards will be made available.

The guide is in the form of a full colour, A5 fully-bound 72-page booklet, and will retail at £3.99. Copies will be available when printed for PR purposes, and at vineyards across the country, in selected outlets, and purchased direct from English Wine Producers.

Ends

A copy of the cover is attached, and is also available in pdf format.
An ISBN for the book will shortly be confirmed. Please contact Michael Hildesley on hildesley@aol.com for further information.

For further information, please contact English Wine Producers:
tel: 01536 772264; email: info@englishwineproducers.com