Over three packed days, the Symposium brought together global industry experts in academia, winegrowing, producing and marketing – all with the same vision: to meet, share and build new contacts for future collaboration and learning. Three tonnes of ice, 4,200 bottles of wine and 22,000 tasting glasses later, the reputation of cool climate wines – and in particular those from England – has been firmly cemented in the minds of the global wine community.
Jancis Robinson described how she had completely changed her mind about wines from the UK over the last few decades, particularly English sparkling wine. She considers the distinctive style of UK sparkling wines to be “hedgerow in a glass – not a copy of Champagne.”
Leading a tasting of English and Welsh still wines Oz Clarke, TV’s premier wine critic, enthused about the future. “40 years ago, who gave any respect to New Zealand, Tasmania or Canada? And look at them today; leaders of the great ‘New World, New Country’ movement that is thrilling any drinkers who get hold of their wines. Britain is the newest, the freshest-faced, the most bright-eyed member of this precious band, and I’m expecting them to sweep me along on their ride. Where will it lead? Who knows! But I can’t wait.”
Picture: Oz Clarke enthuses about the future of English wine and ACT Publishing’s Vine Growers Year Book series
