Blog

In recent years, the English wine industry has experienced a remarkable renaissance, establishing itself as a formidable player in the global wine market and continues to gain momentum. England, the newest of the ‘New World’ wine regions. A true cool-climate region capable of producing thrilling wines. With picturesque vineyards and award-winning wines, regions like Dorset are leading the charge in this exciting growth. Here at M&B we are lucky to be situated close to some of the best-established Dorset vineyards, producing some of the very best English wines.

The Growing Popularity of English Wine

The rise of the English wine industry can be attributed to several factors, including climate change, improved viticulture techniques, and a growing appreciation for locally-produced wines. Our cool, marginal climate make our island ideally suited to the production of traditional method fizz and crisp, aromatic whites. These English wines, particularly sparkling wines, have garnered international acclaim, winning prestigious wine awards and rivaling their French counterparts in quality.

Dorset: A Prime Wine Region

Dorset, with its rolling hills and coastal climate, offers ideal conditions for viticulture. The region’s chalky soil and mild temperatures provide a perfect environment for growing grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Bacchus. These conditions contribute to the unique flavour profiles and high quality of Dorset wines.

Across the region we have an ever-growing variety of vineyards & wineries producing award winning and world class wines including Furleigh Estate, Langham Estate, Bride Valley Wines, English Oak and Little Waddon Vineyard.

We particularly love the wines made by our friends at Furleigh Estate who have been producing award winning wines since 2009, having planted the vineyard at the family dairy farm in 2005. Furleigh Estate is set in stunning Dorset countryside near Bridport, just 5 miles from the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and with similar soils to Champagne. The estate’s 50 acres of vineyards are mainly planted with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The proprietors Ian Edwards and Rebecca Hansford are charming, the small winery is immaculate and at every stage there is great attention to detail. Ian was voted UK Winemaker of the Year in 2012. They are very proud that all of their wine is made at Furleigh Estate from their own grapes. Unlike many of the larger English vineyards they do not import grapes from other counties. The first vines were planted in 2005 and they now produce an average of 40,000 bottles of sparkling wine and 10,000 bottles of still wines a year.

Furleigh’s flagship wine is their Classic Cuvée, a blend of 30% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier and 40% Chardonnay. After hand-picking, the grapes are ‘whole bunch’ pressed to obtain the finest juice. The wine is left on its lees for at least 18 months, with a further 2 months in the bottle after dosage (10g/l).

The Future of English Wine

As the English wine industry continues to flourish, vineyards like Furleigh Estate are paving the way for a bright future. The increasing popularity of English wines, both domestically and internationally, is a testament to the hard work and dedication of producers in regions like Dorset.

Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or new to the world of English wine, exploring the offerings from Dorset’s vineyards is a must, most offer vineyard tours and tastings to enable you to explore. We will always stock great Dorset & English wines here at M&B too and offer advice on which wines for you to enjoy.

Cheers to the continued success of Dorset’s winemakers!

Key labelling terms in Sparkling Wine:

NV – this means Non-Vintage. If you don’t see a ‘year’ labelled on a bottle it is a NV or Multi-Vintage wine. This is a blend of wine that has been produced across a number of years. This is very typical in sparkling wine production and does not lessen quality in any way. Producers blend for style, balance, complexity and consistency.

Vintage – Wine produced from a single harvest. The year will appear on the label.

Blanc de Blanc – ‘White from White,’ this French term refers to sparkling wine made only from white grapes. This will be a wine made from Chardonnay, these can be thrilling and very exciting wines that often get better with age.

Blanc de Noir – ‘White from Black,’ again a French term but this time noting a sparkling wine made from black grapes. Pinot Noir usually makes up the majority of the blend. Expect more richness and depth.

Brut – Dry in style.

Extra Brut – Even Drier.

Brut Nature – No dosage or added sweetness whatsoever.