Number of UK wine producers at a record high

The number of wine producers in the UK is at a record high, having risen by 13% in the past year according to accountancy firm UHY Hacker Young.

Recent data from UHY Hacker Young reveals that the number of producers making wine in Britain has grown from 352 in 2015 to 397 last year.

James Simmonds of UHY Hacker Young believes the growth can in part be put down to a growing interest in niche, homegrown drinks in the UK as consumers swap French bubbles for English fizz.

“It is more of a talking point and more of an event, to order a Welsh wine than French. But it’s not just novelty value – critics are giving English and Welsh wine higher and higher ratings,” he said.

The number of producers has been growing steadily since 2012, when there were just 287 wine estates in the UK.

In the last decade the acreage of UK land planted with vines has grown by 135%.

The UHY Hacker Young figures include wine that is made in the UK using imported grapes or grape juice.