English Wine Week is almost upon us (20-28 June) and we have more to celebrate than ever before, with our producers seeing massive wins across global competitions. A magnum of Sugrue South Down’s ‘The Trouble with Dreams’ 2009 (Hedonism, £195) became the first English sparkling in large format to receive
Libby Brodie
Friday 19 June 2026 11:22 am
English Wine Week is almost upon us (20-28 June) and we have more to celebrate than ever before, with our producers seeing massive wins across global competitions.
A magnum of Sugrue South Down’s ‘The Trouble with Dreams’ 2009 (Hedonism, £195) became the first English sparkling in large format to receive Best in Show at the Decanter Awards, making it among the top 50 wines in the world.
At the International Wine Challenge, Nyetimber took home the Champion Sparkling Wine award and head winemaker Cherie Spriggs won Sparkling Winemaker of the Year. It was at this competition that England climbed into the world’s top ten wine producing countries by medal too, with fifteen golds in 2025.
Among all of England’s successes, the category of rosé is blossoming rapidly as consumers seek out lighter, fresher wines with more moderate alcohol levels. Our climate is ideal for producing cool climate styles with bright crisp fruit and refreshing countryside florals, which chimes well with the trend of more relaxed wine drinking.
English Wine Week – the bottles to buy
Harrow & Hope English Sparkling Brut Rosé 2021 – £37 Laithwaites.co.uk
Henry Laithwaite made his first wine aged 13, starting a career in winemaking across the world. Returning from Bordeaux with his wife Kaye, they founded Harrow & Hope in Buckinghamshire. This Pinot Noir based bubbly is elegant with beautiful brioche and berry notes.
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Dancing Duchess Sparkling Rosé – £42 dancingduchess.com
This 100% Pinot Meunier fizz sources its grapes from Kent and is both delicate and vibrant. Founded by doctors Archie Patel and Allie Cope to create the chicest dinner party wine, this well-dressed bottle goes well with smoked salmon and cream cheese canapes.
Maid of Bruton Sparkling Rosé – £35 farmshop.co.uk
A superb, stylish sparkling from Somerset. A blend of the champagne grapes Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, it is radiant with rhubarb, red berry and whispers of orange blossom. Generous, vivaciously effervescent, this is a class act.
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Tinwood Estate Rosé 2023 – £35 tinwoodestate.com
A rich English sparkling rosé from a family-owned estate in Sussex. Predominantly Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, it’s a riot of raspberries and rose petals, with bright fine bubbles and a lift at the finish. Delightful paired with chocolate dipped strawberries this English Wine Week.
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Gusbourne English Rosé – £58 (2 pack) gusbourne.com
A superb still rosé from one of the most awarded wineries in Kent. Poised, precise and pretty, it comes as a two-bottle set which is wise as it will slip down far too fast. Put both bottles in an ice bucket and enjoy over a leisurely lunch of seafood and salad.
Cobham House – £38 cobhamhouse.co.uk
Voted the UK’s best rosé in 2025 by WineGB. Unusual for England, it is made with Gamay grapes like France’s Beaujolais and 20% has been fermented in port barrels creating a gorgeous creamy mouthfeel. Open this tasty still rosé with a cheeseboard and grapes.
Folc Dry English Rosé – £22 Ocado
A modern British blend of seven grape varieties sourced from independent, family-owned vineyards around the Southeast of England. Perfumed and perky, Folc has always valued community and has just opened for shareholders with benefits in return for as little as £20 investment. www.drinkfolc.com
Abingworth Sunken Stones Sauvignon Blanc – £23 abingworthvineyard.com
An excellent British take on the grape. This opens with Sauvignon’s classic tell-tale flavours of lime and gooseberry, but these are balanced and lifted by English green apple crunchiness and wild herbal notes. It is fresh, flavourful and fantastic.
Oastbrook Pinot Gris- £23 Laithwaites
A generous, rounded, perfumed Pinot Gris from Sussex. Honeyed peaches vie with elderflower and honeysuckle blossom, apricots and ripe lemon peel. There is a lot going on here, but it still manages to be refined and refreshing. A striking example of English Pinot Gris possibilities.
Two Beacons Pinot Noir Précoce – £24 twobeaconsvineyard.com
This is a unique, crunchy, lighter style of red from Herefordshire. Besides the deep cherry and redcurrant notes, it is full of dried herbs and flowers. Rose hips and lavender, thyme and bay leaf – it whispers to you of English country gardens. Serve lightly chilled.
Find out more about English Wine Week at winegb.co.uk/event/english-wine-week-2026
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