What’s the Difference Between English and British Wine?

The number of English vineyards is rising in the UK. From Herefordshire to Norfolk, there are vineyards springing up everywhere and it’s an exciting time to be part of a developing and growing category. 

But a question that appears to be coming up more frequently now is “what’s the difference between English and British wine?” Whilst it may appear that the two terms can be used interchangeably, there are some crucial elements that set the two apart and define what English wine is. 

It’s not widely known outside of the wine industry, but British wine doesn’t technically refer to wine that’s been grown in the UK. British wine can be made from grapes grown anywhere in the UK, but it can also be made from imported grape juice that’s then fermented in the UK. This means that you could purchase a bottle of British wine, that’s actually not made from any grapes grown in the UK, and be easily led into thinking you’re still supporting British farming when buying into this product. 

English wine is increasingly becoming more of a protected category, just like that of Champagne, and indeed Sussex Sparkling Wine has been specifically granted Protected Designation of Origin Status (PDO) now in the UK. Not only does this protection elevate the status of a region, it also ensures that there’s a stylistic element to the category that’s preserved and understood by consumers upon purchase. 

For English wine, there are a few rules to follow under English law to place this term on the label of a bottle. Firstly, 100% of the grapes must be grown in England, different to British wine where grape juice can be imported. English wine must also importantly be both produced and bottled in England. This protects the terroir and production methods used in the category. English wine can be still or sparkling, but for English Sparkling Wine there are further restrictions around the production methods to preserve both quality and style. 

In the past, there’s been worry that this closeness between British and English wine could confuse consumers and jeopardise the future of the growing English wine category. Typically British wine made from imported juice has been priced more affordably and often considered lower quality than English wines. A legitimate concern rippled through growers around the confused association of English wine with a lesser product, clouding the rising potential of the category, which was rapidly gaining popularity and acclaim on a global level. With many consumers already questioning whether English wine was any good, producers didn’t want any obstacles in the way. 

Now, there’s greater clarity around the English wine category. This area of wine has rapidly evolved over the past decade and clearly overshadowed previous British wine products. These days it’s unlikely you’d ever find British wine on a reputable wine menu or in high-end wine merchants. 

At Radlow Hundred we’re thrilled to be a part of the expanding number of English wine producers in the UK, growing our specially selected grapes and working with the soil to express the best of the terroir in our home in the rolling hills of Herefordshire. And we’re especially proud to label our wines as English, as an important part of the future of farming in the UK. You can find our full collection of small-batch, still award-winning English wine here.