English wine and sparkling wine has seen a significant rise in popularity in recent years. We talk to Shelley of Balfour Winery about why this is and the ethos and products in the Balfour Collection.
WHY THE SUDDEN POPULARITY IN ENGLISH WINE IN YOUR OPINION?
The sudden popularity of English wine can be attributed to several factors.
One of the main reasons is that English wines have garnered significant attention by winning prestigious awards and outperforming Champagne in various competitions. This success is frequently highlighted by wine communicators across social media and respected publications.
As more people recognise that English sparkling wine rivals Champagne in quality, economic factors have also played a role; rising costs for grapes, labour, energy, and packaging, along with import duties, have made Champagne more expensive.
Consequently, English sparkling wine has become a more attractive option.Additionally, the younger demographic are more focused on sustainability and provenance and prefer drinking local wines, which feel like a responsible choice and has also contributed to the growing interest in English wines.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HAVING A RANGE OF ENGLISH WINES ON A MENU?
The global palate has evolved, with wine drinkers increasingly appreciating the nuances and complexity of lighter wines, which are often more versatile and food-friendly.
As a region situated on the 51st parallel, we specialise in cool-climate winemaking. This results in wines with distinctive crunchy and vibrant acidity, ideal for cleansing the palate of dishes rich in fat, protein, butter, or oil.
Additionally, our wines typically have an alcohol content around 12%, making them approachable for lunchtime enjoyment. Sharing a bottle with a colleague becomes feasible without affecting productivity for the rest of the day.
TELL US ABOUT BALFOUR WINES AND YOUR STORY
Balfour is one of England’s most respected and renowned wineries. Independent and family focused. Co-owners Richard and Leslie Balfour-Lynn planted the first vines on Hush Heath Estate in 2002 at a time when very few English wineries existed. These 5 acres of vines went on to produce our flagship wine, Balfour Brut Rosé. 2004 was the first vintage and became the first English wine in 2007 to win a gold medal and trophy at the International Wine Challenge.
Sustainability and conservation is key. We understand that it is down to us to preserve soil fertility, to prevent water pollution and to protect the incredible biodiversity that we have across our 400 acres. Our enchanting Estate sets us apart from all other wineries in the UK, and we are regarded as having one of the best visitor and winemaking facilities in England.
Each of Balfour’s vineyards has been carefully chosen by our winemaker Owen Elias and planted to specific clones and rootstocks to give greater diversity and complexity.
The vineyards located on Hush Heath Estate alone account for over 100 different clonal and varietal combinations. The three main varieties planted are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
We now produce over 850,000 bottles per year, making Balfour one of the larger English wineries in England. A new production building has now been completed to keep up with the expansion. We have more large meeting and tasting rooms and a new a la carte restaurant called the Winemakers Kitchen
WHAT MAKES YOUR REGION PERFECT FOR WINE GROWING?
Due to climate change, the South East of England now enjoys a climate similar to that of Champagne 30 years ago, making it ideal for growing grape varieties like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Rising temperatures have made the region warmer, facilitating the full maturation of various grape types.
The area boasts diverse soil types, including the same chalk found in Champagne, along with clay and greensands, which contribute to wines with nuanced and complex aromas and flavours.
Additionally, the region benefits from the innovative and experimental approaches of young winemakers from Plumpton College. Unlike French AOC regions with strict regulations, Balfour and other English producers are free to plant unconventional grapes like Albariño and Gamay. At Balfour, we cultivate all seven permitted Champagne varieties and create limited edition wines, experimenting with different yeast strains and new winemaking techniques.
All these factors make England an exciting wine region to watch!
