English winemakers expect ‘vintage year’ after record-breaking summer heat
Hot weather means sweeter grapes, but outlook gloomier for beermakers, as drought diminishes barley harvest English sparkling winemakers expect their earliest grape harvest and a “vintage year” after a scorching summer quickly ripened grapes. However, beer sellers have warned of a potential shortage after record-breaking temperatures and a drought hitting much of England has caused poor yields of…
English winemakers are anticipating a "vintage year" following a record-breaking summer heat, according to Nyetimber, the first producer in England to cultivate pinot noir, chardonnay, and pinot meunier exclusively for sparkling wine. The scorching weather swiftly ripened grapes, leading the company to commence grape picking on 14 September, which is the earliest since they planted their first vines in 1988.
This year's harvest is expected to yield nearly 2,500 tonnes of grapes, potentially resulting in over 1.5 million bottles of sparkling wine for the 2026 vintage.
However, the outlook is gloomier for beer producers, as a drought has diminished barley harvests, potentially causing a shortage in beer supply. Lisa Hogan, co-owner of Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire, expressed concerns about the negative impact on beer drinkers. The summer was the UK's hottest on record, with temperatures reaching 38.1C (100.1F) in August, surpassing the previous record set in 1948.
Hogan and her partner, TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson, make Hawkstone Lager on their farm, which gained fame through the Amazon series Clarkson’s Farm. Despite the challenges, Hogan remains optimistic about the quality of their brew, acknowledging the resilience of British farmers. The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board predicts that the barley harvest may be the worst on record, with yields running 19% below the five-year average.
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