England and Wales Flashcards

1
Q

When did modern winegrowing start in England and Wales?

A

after Second World War

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2
Q

How did modern wine growing start in England and Wales

A

mainly using German crosses or hybrids - traditional Champagne varieties were also planted in several estates in the late 1980s with a view to make traditional method sparkling wines

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3
Q

How much does Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier varietals account for in England and Wales

A

75% of all plantings and production in England and Wales

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4
Q

General SAT for white sparkling wines in England and Wales

A

high acidity
med alcohol
light to med body
flavors of apple and lemon along with autolytic notes
very good with some outstanding examples
premium to super premium prices

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5
Q

Besides white sparkling wines what other sparkling are made in England and Wales?

A

rose

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6
Q

Where are vineyards located in England and Wales?

A

northernly latitude - all located above 50 resulting in long daylight hours and a cool climate

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7
Q

How do long daylight hours and cool climates assist with making sparkling wines in England and Wales

A

suitable for growing grapes for traditional method sparkling wine

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8
Q

Where are 2/3 of all UK’s vineyard located?

A

South East of England

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9
Q

Where are vineyards that account for 85% of all production found in England and Wales?

A

southern England - although there are vineyards in Wales and other parts of the UK

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10
Q

What is the climate in Southern England?

A

cool maritime climate
average growing season temps of 14 C growing from 13C within the last century - still cool but less marginal

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11
Q

What do cool temps in England result in?

A

slow ripening, slow sugar accumulation, preservation of acidity and medium intensity fruit characters

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12
Q

What has occurred in recent years that has helped producers to ripen fruit in more years than previously

A

warming of the climate - raising quality

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13
Q

What has caused England difficulties over the more recent years

A

extreme weather events such as heavy rain, frost damage, earlier budding due to warmer springs

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14
Q

What type of varieties are being planted more in England instead of german and hybrid varietals? why?

A

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir due to warmer springs allowing for earlier budding varieties being able to be planted more

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15
Q

What is the biggest threat to yields in England?

A

prolonged rains and cool temps in June and July which can affect flowering and fruit set

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16
Q

What year was the wettest year in England where some estates did not pick any grapes?

A

2012

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17
Q

Besides June and July, when else can rain be a major threat for grapes in England?

A

during harvest in October

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18
Q

How can producers protect from rains in October in England

A

timely spraying for fungal disease and managing financial risks of fluctuation in yields and quality are highest priorities

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19
Q

What is important to consider when selecting sites to grow and ripen fruit in ENgland?

A

grape growing at northern latitudes and that south facing slopes are best for max sunlight exposure

site selection should concentrate on ones that maximize shelter from prevailing winds that are generally from southwest

good drainage is essential

altitude below 125 m above sea level

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20
Q

Describe soil types in England

A

vary across the country
Clay predominates Kent and parts of Sussex
Sussex and Hampshire have large amounts of chalk

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21
Q

What do clay soils provide to England wines?

A

slightly lower acidity
more pronounced fruit
high water holding capacity and fertility

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22
Q

What do chalk soils provide to England wines?

A

good drainage and lower fertility
tend to be on slopes at high elevations making more vulnerable to adverse weather
gives more finesse but higher acidity and leaner body

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23
Q

What density are new vineyards planted at in England?

A

med density - 4000-5000 vines per ha

24
Q

Why are vineyards planted at med density in England?

A

to increase root competition and contain vigor of the canopy

25
Q

What training system is preferred in England?

A

Guyot system with vertical shoot positioning (as is most cool climate northern Europe viticulture)

26
Q

How do narrow rows with canes trained relatively close to the ground help vines in England

A

retain heat in the fruiting zone

27
Q

why are thin canopies important In ENgland

A

to allow air and light to reach buds and the fruit to reduce disease pressure and to allow sprays to reach the leaves maintaining healthy grapes and raising quality

28
Q

What causes vintage variation in England

A

variable, cool and damp climate - which then results in fluctuating yields

29
Q

What are low average yields due to in England?

A

marginal climate and increased plantings of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that can flower poorly in wet and cool weather

30
Q

what are the overall average yields for ENgland?

A

25 hl/ha- although the best vineyards can achieve twice this amount

31
Q

Why are prices premium and super premium for England Sparkling wines?

A

due to the low and variable yields

32
Q

What is the majority of sparkling wines made from in England?

A

White and rose - Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and some Meunier

a few made with german crossings or hybrids

33
Q

What method is used to make England Sparkling wines?

A

almost all sparkling wines in ENgland are made using traditional method

34
Q

Are sparkling wines in England primarily vintage or NV

A

vintage

35
Q

Describe the length of time on lees for England sparkling wines?

A

it varies but min is 9 months in line with EU regulation

36
Q

Do producers use oak for England Sparkling wines?

A

some producer use a portion of oak to add texture but majority of base wines are unoaked

37
Q

Is Malolactic conversion used in England for sparkling wines?

A

it is widely used to reduce high acidity that results from the cool climate

38
Q

Which producers can pick at acidity levels ideal for traditional method sparkling wine in England?

A

ones with most sheltered sites and those willing to risk waiting for fuller ripeness

39
Q

Why have some producers switched to non vintage wines in England

A

using reserve wines to create a consistent style

40
Q

Do producers in England make Pet Nat wines?

A

yes but only a few

41
Q

How many varietals are allowed for English PDO sparkling wines and what are they?

A

6 - Chardonnay, PInot Noir, Pinot Noir Precoce (mutation of Pinot Noir that ripens 2 weeks earlier than PN) , meunier, PInot Blanc, and Pinot gris

42
Q

What area in England obtained separate PDO status in June 2022

A

Sussex

43
Q

What are the regulations of Sparkling Sussex PDO

A

must be made from grapes grown in region and predominately from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier

44
Q

English PDO wines must be made by which method?

A

traditional method

45
Q

What are all German varieties and hybrids labelled as in England?

A

PGI

46
Q

What is the max yield for PDO wines in ENgland?

A

80 hl/ha

47
Q

How are ENgland wines labelled in terms of sweetness

A

using EU labelling mostly in Brut style

48
Q

HOw many planting are there in ENgland?

A

3,800 ha all varieties which is small by the world’s standard

49
Q

What happened to plantings in ENgland between 2012-2020

A

it doubled

50
Q

Who are significant producers of ENgland sparkling wines?

A

Nyetimber and Wiston Estate

51
Q

Where is most of English sparkling wine consumed?

A

virtually all is consumed in England - 1/3 at cellar door but also sold at specialist wine shops, premium supermarkets, and hospitality sector

52
Q

How much English sparkling wine is exported?

A

8%

53
Q

What is a major financial challenge for ENglish sparkling wines

A

to deal with fluctuations in yields from year to year

54
Q

What has the industry body recently rebranded itself to be for ENglish wines

A

WineGB

55
Q

What does Wine GB seek to be?

A

act as a point of reference for and to represent vineyard owners and producers in technical services regulation marketing and education