British winemaker Chapel Down toasts ‘perfect growing conditions’ as Europe battles massive heatwaves
Chapel Down will reap the benefits of “perfect growing conditions” as southern Europe suffers monstrous heatwaves, the English wine producer’s boss said.
The Kent company, which continues plans to double the size of its business by 2026, saw sales rise 21 per cent to £8.37 million in the first half of the year.
Boss Andrew Carter said the cooler climate in the UK is favorable for grape growing, while European countries such as Italy, Spain and France struggle with extreme temperatures.
The UK tends to have temperatures about a degree lower than Champagne, France, famous for producing sparkling wine, Carter added.
But there are increasingly extreme weather conditions in southern Europe, Carter said.
vintage year? Chapel Down, which is continuing with plans to double the size of its business by 2026, saw sales rise 21% to £8.37 million in the first half of the year
He continued: ‘I really feel for them, but it reiterates the opportunity to produce wine in this country’.
Heat waves and droughts can cause grapes to stop ripening, leaving grapes with a bitter taste and smaller than normal.
The British climate produces wine that is “fresher, fresher and more elegant in style” than from other regions, he claimed.
The company said growing conditions “have been positive so far and the vines are developing faster than the seasonal average.”
After a record harvest of 2,050 tonnes in 2022, Chapel Down expects ‘another successful and high-yielding crop’.
Sales of the company’s tipples were driven by its sponsorship of events such as English Cricket, Royal Ascot and the Oxford versus Cambridge boat race.
Although the cost of living had led to a slight drop in what shoppers were inclined to spend when visiting Chapel Down wineries, the brand had still managed to be seen as “very affordable luxury.”