Customer demand for English wine has reached an all time high with sales up 47% year on year, according to Waitrose.
The retailer also added that vine plantings have increased across the country with its wine experts predicting the English wine industry will reach new heights in the next five to ten years.
Waitrose continues to support its domestic wine industry as it holds 50% of the market share and sells 105 English and Welsh wines in-store and online.
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Additionally, the retailer prides itself with the largest wine supermarket range in UK and supports both small suppliers and for local distribution and world famous award winning English sparkling wine.
The higher-end retailer had continued to increase its English wine stock since it listed its first domestic bottle in 2001.
The newest in-store edition is the is a sparkling rosé from well-known English vineyard, Chapel Down in Kent which will launch in 265 shops and on Waitrose Cellar in August.
On top of this, Waitrose also has its own vineyard at the Leckford Estate in Hampshire, which produces a Brut and a Blanc de Blanc from vines planted in 2009.
“While still a relatively young industry compared to the rest of the world, the winemaking passion and expertise in this country is proving itself to be deserving of the world stage time and time again,” Waitrose sparkling wine buyer Alexandra Mawson said.
“We’re seeing the culmination of the hard work of our viticulturists and winemakers paying off in customer recognition and this, coupled with the expansion of vineyards makes it an incredibly exciting time for English wine. Our customers love supporting homegrown, local produce and English wine is a shining example of this.”
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