English winemakers expect ‘vintage year’ after record-breaking summer heat
Summary
English winemakers expect an early grape harvest and a good year for sparkling wine after a very hot summer. However, beer producers warn of a barley shortage due to poor crop growth caused by the same hot and dry weather.Key Facts
- English sparkling wine producer Nyetimber will start picking grapes on 14 September, the earliest since 1988.
- Nyetimber expects nearly 2,500 tonnes of grapes, enough for over 1.5 million bottles of 2026 vintage sparkling wine.
- Late spring frosts reduced the crop size, but sunny summer weather increased grape sugar, which can improve wine quality.
- England had its hottest summer on record, with temperatures reaching 38.1°C (100.1°F) in London on 13 August.
- The hot weather is linked to the climate crisis caused by burning fossil fuels.
- Barley farmers in England suffered poor harvests due to drought and heat, leading to lower yields and quality.
- Barley yield in England is about 19% below the five-year average, raising concerns about beer shortages.
- Some UK barley farmers cannot easily import grain from other countries due to similar problems abroad.
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