English wine: why it’s worth every penny

In recent years, English wine has emerged from the shadows of global viticulture to gain a reputation for prestige, quality and uniqueness. But why does a bottle of English wine often come with a higher price tag?

Economic factors such as rising energy costs and wages certainly play their part, but the answer is more complex.

One key factor is the climate. The UK’s climate is akin to that of Champagne, creating ideal conditions for producing high-quality sparkling wines. However, the cool temperatures reduce yield and therefore require meticulous vineyard management and labour-intensive practices, driving up production costs. Additionally, the relatively small scale of English wineries means they cannot benefit from economies of scale in the same way as larger producers in established wine regions.

English vineyards, along with many of their global contemporaries, also face increasing challenges from unpredictable weather patterns, so predicting the annual yield of their core ingredient can feel more akin to a dark art, with a glut one year followed by a dearth in the next.

The weather also impacts more directly on the cost of wine. Unlike spirits, which are distilled to a recipe guaranteed to produce the desired alcohol content, the alcoholic content of a bottle of wine can vary significantly depending on the weather that year. Alcohol duty paid by the wineries is based on alcohol content, so it’s no wonder the industry refers to this as the ‘sunshine tax’.

Despite the higher prices, there are numerous reasons for investing in English wine. First and foremost: it’s really good. And that’s not a subjective opinion: the quality has been consistently recognised with prestigious awards, regularly outperforming their more famous counterparts on the world stage.

Second, buying English wine supports local agriculture and the industry. It fosters sustainability and reduces carbon footprints associated with transporting wine across the globe. As more consumers seek authentic, locally-sourced products, English wines present an opportunity to explore exciting new flavours while contributing to the local economy.

While the price of English wine may deter some, its exceptional quality, local impact, and the experience of ‘buying local’ make it a worthy addition to any wine enthusiast’s collection.

How we can help

Behind every successful English winery sits a mix of passion, precision and good planning. Cripps supports wine producers with the legal side of growth, whether that’s buying land, protecting a brand, navigating regulation or structuring investment.