English Wine Adventures that Make You Sparkle with Joy
English wine has enjoyed somewhat of a boom in recent years, yet it’s still largely underrated. But with travel to many traditional wine destinations like France and Italy still looking uncertain, now is the ideal time to see what all the fuss is about.
The small but perfectly formed UK wine industry is blossoming, producing award-winning wines that compete with some of the best in the world. Vineyards are throwing open their doors for tours and tastings. Add in idyllic accommodation, gastronomic delights and the great British countryside, and it’s little surprise that wine tours in the UK are in high demand.
The Vineyards of England
England is an exciting new force in the wine world. No longer is English winemaking met with snide comments; our world-class bubbles have been scooping up awards, even beating major Champagne houses! Indeed, Champagne Taittinger has snapped up land in Kent to produce its own English sparking wine.
And it’s not just the bubbles that are turning heads – whites, rosés and even the occasional red all contribute to England’s burgeoning wine reputation. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Bacchus are the most popular grape varieties grown here, with some Pinot Meunier and Ortega too.
While vineyards are popping up across the country, the climate in the south and southeast tends to be warmer and dryer, and it’s here that viticulture is really flourishing. Sussex, Kent and Surrey are the best-known wine regions, though vineyards in East Anglia, Hampshire and across the southwest are making waves.
Explore the Best of English Wine
With over 500 working vineyards in the UK, it can be daunting trying to figure out where to start on your English wine adventure. So we’ve done the hard work for you! Our Grand English Wine Tour combines delicious locally sourced cuisine, breathtaking scenery and a selection of dreamy accommodation, with visits to some of England’s most celebrated vineyards.
This 11-day wine extravaganza includes full-day chauffeured tours of four of England’s finest wine regions – Sussex, Kent, Hampshire and Devon. You’ll sample award-winning still and sparkling wines in a selection of delightful locations, from the bluebell woods and chalk vineyards of Sussex to Devon’s beguiling Jurassic Coast.
Along the way, you’ll explore the charming town of Rye, the historic centre of Dartmouth, and stroll along the golden beach at Camber Sands. And of course, you’ll indulge in some fine English fare, from meals in classic English pubs to a wine-tasting lunch on the River Dart.
Sampling Wines from the Garden of England
With similar conditions to the Champagne region of France, Kent is at the heart of the UK wine industry. And with its delicious local produce and sublime landscapes, the Garden of England is ripe for a UK wine tour.
Our five-day tour of the wine garden of England highlights the best this county has to offer. From established, state-of-the-art wineries like Hush Heath and Chapel Down to historic Squerryes and Kent’s original vineyard at Biddenden, we’ll guide you through sommelier-led tastings and give you a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the workings of UK wine estates.
Your tours will be complemented with mouth-watering local produce including a Kentish cheese and charcuterie board, a stunning winery lunch on a rooftop terrace overlooking the vines, and delightful pub meals. Plus you’ll sleep in style with accommodation including a spa hotel and an historic castle.
All our UK wine tours can be arranged to suit your taste. To book your bespoke wine adventure, contact sales@smoothred.com or call +44 208 877 4940 for more information.
