Gone are the days when the mere concept of English wine was guaranteed to get a laugh. Sparkling wines from England are beginning to gain currency and are even being taken seriously in the home of quality fizz, France. At the annual English Wine Producers tasting on April 23 in London the sparkling wines put in a strong show . Particularly of note was the…

??? ?? Ridgeview Merret Cavendish 2005 (38 Ch, 35 PN, 27 PM, £19.95) Very toasty, full aromas of rhubarb crumble. It’s young but has plenty of rhubarb, plum and touches of cherry with a finely balanced acidic structure and complex finish. Needs some years in bottle. ??? ? Hush Heath Balfour Brut Rosé 2005 (57 PN, 40 Ch, 3 PM, £29.99) Pale onion skin colour,…

It’s a good time to be a Prosecco producer. The understated Italian wine has never, it seems, been more popular – there were 50 million bottles produced in 2007, up 14 per cent on the 2005 figure, and Prosecco is winning over new admirers in undeveloped export territories. Wine consumption in Italy and in Germany, Prosecco’s top export market, is not expected to grow (see…

Looking at the numbers, there is every reason to get excited about the Indian winemaking scene. Sales are growing at a steady 25 per cent year on year and are now worth around £50 million (4 billion rupees) at retail. From four wineries producing 2 million litres of wine in 2001, India now has 54 wineries producing 13 million litres. Driving this is India’s middle…

Brand owner Constellation Brands Produced in South Africa Size 75cl Price £6, E6-9 Can$13.50 Abv 13-14.5 Markets worldwide Trade contact: +44 1275 890 294 Constellation has relaunched the Fish Hoek single grape varietal range of premium South African wines. The brand came as part of the deal whereby the world’s largest wine company bought Bruce Jack’s business, including his well-known Flagstone wine. Launched…

The rosé category is growing fast as consumers find it suits quick, easy food and Asian-influenced flavours, and it has particular appeal to younger drinkers and women, who are increasingly making the household wine buying choices. Market researcher Euromonitor International says that in the period 2002-2007: "Rosé is the major success story in still, light grape wine, with volumes up by 12 per cent over…

Spain is probably the most outward looking of the so called Old World or European wine-producing countries and Rioja in northern Spain produces the best-known wine in the most export-oriented region. With 70 per cent of its production consumed domestically, the region is looking to export even more as its economy falters. " Rioja has had its ear to the ground," declared Tom Perry, managing…