English wine or British wine? According to an episode of the UK Channel 4 programme Food Unwrapped, we do not know what the difference is, and that needs to be cleared up!
The programme examined the differences between these two types of wine, and interviewed an English wine producer who told us that the general public still thought of English wine and British wine as being the same. The English wine producer (being quick-eyed I saw the name Bolney, whose wines I like) explained that to be called English wine it had to be made in England, from freshly picked and crushed grapes grown in England; whereas British wine is the product of imported grapes or grape concentrate that is made into wine in Britain. ‘British’ wines are not wines as defined by the EU which specifies that wine can only be the product of fermented, freshly crushed grapes.
There is some extremely good English wine and I have a few in my wine rack which I enjoy sharing with friends who are never disappointed, and if you are in the South of England, you are spoilt for choice.
For more information about English wine, the WineGB website will help you along your way and if you would actually like to visit some vineyards, take a look at Wine Cellar Door.
Not sure what level of wine knowledge you already have?