EWP ‘fingers crossed’ for 2013

English wine producers have their fingers crossed for a good 2013 in which to fill their cellars after a poor 2012 and release the 2009 vintage.

So far this year the cold start to spring has delayed bud break by two weeks. However, as Gusbourne Estate’s Andrew Weeber told the drinks business, “each vine has a biological clock and they’ll catch up.”

Oliver Marsh of Ridgeview Estate also said that the late start to the season was not a problem as it has largely negated the danger of frost.

“Everyone is fingers crossed now,” he told db.

The poor weather last year led to poor crops and small harvests, Nyetimber decided not to produce a vintage at all and Weeber explained that Gusbourne’s production dropped from around 30,000 bottles to 20,000 – though the hope was to increase production to 60,000 this year.

“We just need a half decent flowering,” he said.

Nyetimber’s marketing & communications manager, Christian Holthausen, defended the estate’s decision calling it “bold” but also “right”.

He was effusive in his praise for the upcoming 2009 vintage, which many producers will be introducing this year.

“2009 is a fantastic year,” he said, “We’re sure that the classic cuvée is going to be the best ever released.”