More vineyards and major investors herald a golden age for the British wine industry, which is preparing to take on the European elite
The increase in investment and benefits of the climate change have contributed to promoting the british wine industrybut can it compete with the big European beasts?
A favorable climate -perhaps the only advantage of climate change-, English beers awards and cash from hard-core urban investors have combined to make this a Golden season for the British wine producers.
Data from the GBWine sector association suggests that the number of hectares dedicated to wine production in the UK It has doubled in the last decade to reach around 4,000. He number of warehouses has increased by more than 50%, reaching 200, and the number of vineyards has doubled, standing at around 950.
Quality before quantity
But size is not everything. Despite its impressive growth, the British wine sector remains dwarfed by its European rivals of greater weight. British winegrowers are not big enough to compete with him.the best in Europebut they can stand up to them in terms of quality.
When trying the flavor, british wines They are far beyond their capabilities. The Chapel Down group, one of the largest wine producers from England, has accumulated an impressive record of victories in international competitions.
Last year, the group achieved 28 successes in competitions, including gold medals in the International Wine Challenge and in the Decanter World Wines awards, which judge more than 18,000 wines from 57 countries.
Andrew Carter, CEO of Chapel Down, has his sights set on creating a renowned wine region international in the UK and is raising the investment needed to support its big ambitions.
Liquidity injection
Investors from the City of London, little known for risking their money on speculative companiesthey are betting on the wine industry British in an attempt to take it to the next level.
Nigel Wray, a well-known City investor, has a 14% stake in Chapel Down, while Lord Spencer of Alresford, whose investments span the real estatelas financial and cyber technologies and oil and gas prospecting, has a 26% stake in Chapel Down.
Lord Ashcroft, former chairman of the British Conservative Party, philanthropist, international businessman and billionaire, has acquired a controlling stake of 66% in Gusbourne, an award-winning producer with vineyards in the southwest of England (Kent and Sussex).
He Financial Support is contributing to the expansion of the British wine industry. Gusbourne, which already has 93 hectares of mature vineyardshas acquired 55 hectares of land in Kent, ready for planting in the coming years.
Exports are going well
High-quality British wine is finding new markets around the world. The exports They represent a fifth of Gusborne’s net income, with sales in 35 markets, including Scandinavia, Japan and the United States. Enter the Chinese market would boost sales, but geopolitical concerns slow down investment decisions.
While the wine regions traditional people of Europe fight against increase in temperatureswhich makes some traditional wine regions less viable, Britain is laying the groundwork for a concerted attack on the big beasts of wine production.
