English Wine at Fortnum's

When you think of wine, your first thought might be of the sweeping, sun-drenched vineyards of France or Italy. Naturally, the slightly drizzlier shores of old Blighty may not immediately spring to mind. But English wine, once a curiosity on the margins of global viticulture, has emerged in recent decades as one of the most dynamic and intriguing wine stories in the world. That’s why this English Wine Month, we want to give it its moment in the spotlight. 

What may surprise you is that winemaking in England goes back further than a few decades. Try almost two millennia, where it was first introduced to us by the Romans, which we know thanks to the discovery of broken wine containers found in north London that date from the 1st century. However, the modern English wine industry didn’t really begin to take shape until the mid-20th century, when pioneering and passionate growers started experimenting with cool-climate grape varieties suited to local conditions.

But how did English wine grow to develop a prestige close to the wines of the Continent? Well, we’ve been speaking to Jack Thorpe, Assistant Buyer Wines & Spirits here at Fortnum’s, to tell us more about the extraordinary story of this homegrown phenomenon, as well as to Edwina Watson, Senior Wine & Spirits Buyer, to share more about the new bottles of English Wine  landing on our shelves. And to really celebrate, this English Wine Month you can enjoy up to 20% off selected bottles of English Sparkling wine, with an extra 10% off when you buy a mix of any 6 or more bottles.

English Wine Wasn't Blended in a Day

Records of winemaking in Britain stretch back to the Roman era, revealing a far deeper heritage than is often assumed. Archaeological evidence - including fragments of wine vessels found in north London - suggests there was production of it near Brockley Hill as early as the 1st century, while a Roman vineyard discovered in Northamptonshire points to established viticulture by the 2nd century. By the 3rd century, Emperor Probus had encouraged the Brittanni to cultivate vines, an early precedent for English wine. The foundations of the modern industry, however, were laid in 1952, when Sir Guy Salisbury-Jones planted Hambledon Vineyard, widely regarded as England’s first commercial vineyard.

In the past 30 years, English wine has entered a period of remarkable growth - and continues to flourish. Production has risen from approximately 3.4 million bottles in 1996 to around 16.5 million in 2025, driven largely by the success of sparkling wine. England’s southern counties actually share notable climatic and geological similarities with Champagne, and producers have adopted the traditional method to capitalise on this. Plantings of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier have expanded significantly in the region, while a warming climate has improved ripening conditions, enabling greater balance, consistency and quality - making English wine a serious global competitor. Cheers to that!

Fortnum’s has long played a role in championing English wine’s evolution. Its wine lists featured producers such as Breaky Bottom, Hambledon and New Hall as early as 1984. By 1990, the range had expanded to include a diverse mix of styles, from Germanic varieties to late harvest and fruit wines. In the decades since, Fortnum’s has partnered with leading producers including Nyetimber and Chapel Down, and in 2008 launched its first own-label English sparkling wine with Camel Valley - an enduring collaboration rooted in shared heritage and a mutual commitment to quality.

“This year we are proud to launch two new English wines as part of our newly launched own-label wines,” says Edwina. ‘The first is English Coastal, an exclusive white blend of Bacchus, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay, made by fellow Royal-Warrant Holder, Camel Valley, in Cornwall. This delicious wine marks an exciting first for Fortnum’s as well as for the wider English wine trade, with its distinctive, place-led name setting it apart from more typical varietal expressions. Its label features a beautiful illustration of a Cornish cove, offering a vivid interpretation of English wine that celebrates our island’s coastal heritage. It reveals delicate notes of meadowsweet and elderflower alongside bright citrus and a gentle kiss of sea spray.

 ”And what could be more quintessentially English, or evocative, than an English rosé?  Ours is made from fruit sourced in Kent and Suffolk, this is the perfect wine for the summer season, featuring strawberries and redcurrants. Ideal for picnics, barbecues, the Royal Enclosure, a deck chair in Green Park or a day at Wimbledon, it is a beautifully refreshing wine that captures the essence of our British summer.”  

In Conversation with Jack Thorpe

A member of Fortnum's Wine and Spirits buying team, Jack began his journey in the wine trade shortly after completing his A-levels, when he moved to New Zealand to work at a winery for eight months. This formative experience sparked a lasting interest in viticulture and winemaking, leading him to study Viticulture and Oenology at Plumpton College. During this time, he also gained practical experience at Gusbourne, one of England’s leading sparkling wine producers. After completing his studies, Jack joined Fortnum's, where he has spent over four years refining his expertise within one of the UK’s most respected retail environments, with a growing focus on English wine.

WineGB, the trade association for the UK wine industry, recently hosted its largest national trade and press tasting in London, bringing together leading producers, buyers, retailers and hospitality professionals from across the sector. Among the highlights of the event was the launch of WineGB’s inaugural Trade Ambassador scheme, created to recognise and celebrate those making a significant contribution to championing English and Welsh wines. More than 70 applications were received, with 20 candidates shortlisted before a final group of 14 ambassadors was selected by members of WineGB’s Sales and Marketing Working Group.

Representing a dynamic cross-section of the industry - from independent wine bars and Michelin-starred restaurants to national retailers - the ambassadors were united by a shared passion for, and commitment to, English and Welsh wines. We were delighted that Jack was selected as one of this year’s ambassadors.

Speaking about the recognition, Jack said: “I’m thrilled to be announced as one of the first WineGB ambassadors. It’s fantastic to be recognised for all the work myself and the wine team have put into promoting English wine. It feels like we’ve created a range that really showcases the quality of English wines, and we’re incredibly proud of it.”

We asked Jack more about his role and his passion for wine, especially English wine.

What do you love about English wine? Or what makes it so special?

For me, I grew up with family working in the wine industry, so wine always felt slightly exotic - these amazing products grown in beautiful parts of the world. I never really thought about England being able to produce wines that could compete with some of the best wines globally, but now it absolutely does. That transformation is what makes English wine so exciting to me.

How has English wine evolved since it first started being produced? How has the quality improved?

Things have changed massively since the first commercial vineyards were planted. Early plantings focused more on Germanic varieties and experimental clones, whereas now many producers are working with more traditional varieties such as Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay.

Another major factor in the improvement in quality is simply time and experience. The longer winemakers and viticulturists spend working with the grapes and vineyard sites, the more they understand how they behave - from knowing which areas need longer to ripen to understanding which varieties or clones work best in particular locations. That knowledge has helped elevate the quality of English wine enormously.  

What makes English terroir great for producing wine?

You can now find vineyards across the UK, so terroir naturally differs depending on the region. However, the majority are concentrated along the south coast, from Kent across Sussex to Hampshire. This includes the South Downs, which stretch for over 60 miles and offer excellent vineyard conditions thanks to their chalky soil profile. This chalk seam is the same porous chalk that runs beneath the Channel through to Champagne. English still wines have also found a real home in Essex, which is the driest county in the UK, receiving around 500-600mm of rainfall each year. It is also one of the warmest and sunniest parts of the country, all of which are ideal conditions for growing high-quality grapes.

What are the classic flavour characteristics of an English wine? Please share some detail on the grapes here if that’s relevant.

One of the most interesting things about English wine is the diversity of styles and varieties being produced. Unlike regions such as Champagne, where grape varieties are much more tightly regulated, wineries in England have far greater flexibility in what they can plant.

Our English Sparkling Brut from Camel Valley, for example, is a blend of Seyval Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc, which allows for both flexibility and consistency, even in more challenging vintages.

The flavour profile of English wine depends heavily on the grape variety. For many years, Bacchus was the main variety used for still wines in England. It’s a very aromatic grape, often compared to New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, with bright elderflower and citrus notes.

More recently, Chardonnay has become increasingly popular and has proven incredibly versatile in England. We now see a wide range of expressions, from fresher, mineral styles to richer and more textured wines. Whitewolfe in Kent is a great example - they currently produce only Chardonnay from a single vineyard, yet each wine shows completely different characteristics. That’s one of the brilliant things about English wine: there is always something new to discover.

How do English sparkling wines compare to Champagne in your opinion?

There are definitely similarities between Champagne and English sparkling wine. Both are typically made using the traditional method, with secondary fermentation in bottle, and both rely heavily on the same grape varieties - Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, which are now among the most widely planted grapes in the UK.

The climates are also fairly similar, although England is generally slightly cooler. As a result, English sparkling wines often show higher acidity and a fresher, more linear style. Champagne, by comparison, can feel a little richer and rounder. You can really taste that distinction in the glass. 

What producers do you think are especially exciting right now and why?
There are many wineries producing really interesting wines at the moment. Langham Estate in Dorset, for example, produces a solera-aged Chardonnay inspired by grower Champagne, which is a fascinating style to see emerging in England.

Gutter & Stars, an urban winery in Cambridge run by Chris Wilson, is another particularly exciting producer, making some incredible still wines using fruit sourced from some of the best vineyards in the country. 

Do you have a favourite wine in the range?
At Fortnum’s we have around 50 different English wines in the range, alongside three own-label sparkling wines and two still wines, so it’s difficult to choose a single favourite as they all deserve their place.

At the moment, though, I’m really enjoying the New English Coastal wine. It feels like a very exciting take on English wine, with a lovely salinity alongside notes of elderflower and gooseberry. It’s perfect paired with seafood.

Fortnum's English Wine Festival

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