Lidl to stock English wines for the first time

Lidl is to stock English wine in its UK supermarkets for the first time, having partnered with Surrey-based producer Denbies.

Denbie’s Broadwood’s Folly English sparkling Brut

The discount retailer will launch a trio of wines produced by Denbies under its Broadwood’s Folly label in March to coincide with its Easter Wine Cellar range. A rosé and white wine will retail at £7.99 while a sparkling English wine will be priced at £14.99, as reported by The Guardian.

“The English wine industry is growing and is something we as a retailer are keen to support, therefore we are excited to have partnered with the Denbies Wine Estate to stock three delicious English wines; a white, rosé and a sparkling wine”, said Ben Hulme, the head of beers, wines and spirits at Lidl.

Lidl first launched its Wine Cellar concept in 2012 – a bespoke range of premium wines largely from France – available four times a year. Last year Hulme confirmed the retailer would be increasing its frequency to six next year, among which its new English wine listings will feature.

Earlier this week the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) hailed a record year for the English wine category, which saw sales soar in 2015 with 2016 predicted to be even more successful.

Waitrose reported sales of English sparkling wine to be up by 188% over the festive period compared to last year, while Marks & Spencer saw sales of Chapel Down Sparkling English Brut and Sparkling English Rosé Brut rise by 300%.

Marks & Spencer recently launched its first Welsh wine, the Tintern Parva bacchus from Parva Farm Vineyards in Monmouthshire, and offered its first magnum of English sparkling wine, the 2010 Ridgeview Blanc de Blancs, this Christmas.

“To meet demand we have more than doubled our range of English and Welsh wines from 8 to 20″, said Elizabeth Kellly, M&S wine buyer. “The 12 new lines are available regionally in local stores which has proved extremely popular; our first vintage of a Welsh Bacchus sold out in just three months.

“Due to its popularity, we’ve also moved a red wine that was listed regionally last year (Bolney Linter’s Red) to be available nationwide. Sales have increased by an impressive 490% which shows that these wines are increasingly recognised outside of their home counties.”

Following the category’s growing success, Champagne Taittinger announced late last year plans to plant its first vineyards in Kent with the intention of producing an English sparkling wine.

Meanwhile the UK’s environment secretary Liz Truss confirmed plans to host the first English wine summit with representatives of the wine industry to talk about how the government and producers can help build upon the industry’s growing success. The WSTA will also take part in the discussion with the aim of identifying land suitable for viticulture and to encourage data collection and data sharing.