Get ready to pop the corks and toast the UK's wine industry as it soars to new heights! English Wine Week is just around the corner, running from 20th to 28th June, and this year's celebrations are set to be a real cracker. Our fantastic winemakers have been racking up the accolades on the global stage, earning top spots at prestigious competitions like the Decanter Awards and International Wine Challenge.
The Trouble with Dreams 2009 from Sugrue South Down made history by becoming the first English sparkling wine in a large format to receive the coveted 'Best in Show' award at the Decanter Awards. This was no fluke - it's a testament to our nation's ability to hold its own against the best of the best on the world stage. And Nyetimber didn't let up, bagging the Champion Sparkling Wine award at the International Wine Challenge while head winemaker Cherie Spriggs picked up the gong for Sparkling Winemaker of the Year. To put that into perspective, England's performance at this competition catapulted us into the top ten wine-producing nations by medal count in 2025 - a staggering achievement!
But it's not just about the bubbly! The UK's rosé scene is absolutely on fire (pun intended) with consumers clamouring for lighter, fresher wines that won't weigh them down. And our cool climate vineyards are perfectly poised to deliver exactly what they're looking for - vibrant, crisp fruit profiles and refreshing floral notes. It's a match made in heaven!
So, where can you find these rosé rockstars? Look out for the Harrow & Hope English Sparkling Brut Rosé 2021 from Buckinghamshire (£37 from Laithwaites), boasting elegant brioche and berry notes. Or try the Dancing Duchess Sparkling Rosé from Kent (£42), which packs a delicate yet vibrant punch. And if you're after something a bit more local, the Maid of Bruton Sparkling Rosé from Somerset (around £35) is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier that's simply radiant.
And don't even get us started on the still rosés! The Tinwood Estate Rosé 2023 from Sussex (£35) is rich and indulgent, while the Gusbourne English Rosé from Kent (a two-bottle set for approximately £58) has been hailed as a masterpiece. Cobham House's Gamay-based rosé was voted UK best in 2025 by WineGB (£38), while Folc Dry English Rosé offers a modern take on traditional rosé-making at an affordable price point of around £22 from Ocado.
And if you're more of a white wine fan, the Abingworth Sunken Stones Sauvignon Blanc (around £23) presents a classic British twist with its lime and gooseberry notes balanced by English green apple. Or go for the Oastbrook Pinot Grigio (£23 from Laithwaites), which is generous and perfumed in all the right ways!