📍 England

England makes wine at the edge of what the vine can bear: all vineyards lie above 49.9° north. The protected names are «English» (PDO, in the register since 29.12.2011) and «English Regional» (PGI). For the PDO the grapes must come from England, and sparkling wine is made only from six varieties, with a limit of 80 hl/ha.

The specification describes a temperate climate: few days above 30 °C, a large gap between day and night temperatures, long days and a long growing season. The wines are marked by high acidity and aroma. By the specification, England means the counties of the 1972 Local Government Act, Greater London and the Isles of Scilly.

PDO «English» still wine requires at least 8.5 % actual alcohol (9 % if enriched), total alcohol no more than 15 % and total acidity of at least 4 g/l. For sparkling wine the minimum is 10 % alcohol and pressure of at least 3.5 bar. The permitted sparkling varieties are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir Précoce, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. PGI «English Regional» allows hybrids such as Seyval Blanc, and at least 85 % of the grapes must come from England. Since 01.01.2024 there is no formal varietal certification: the label may show a variety if the wine contains at least 85 % of it (95 % for several varieties). A separate PDO «Sussex» has been in the register since 27.07.2017.

Why it matters to you. «English» on a label is a protected name with its own specification, not simply «wine from England». A variety name may be shown without a protected name too, but PDO and PGI wines are confirmed by a test after bottling: analysis and a tasting for faults.