English wine producers are turning their focus toward export markets following what is being called the country’s warmest summer on record, with expectations for stronger demand abroad as domestic sales plateau.
England’s 2025 viticulture season has drawn attention: a historically warm and dry summer has produced outstanding grape conditions, prompting winemakers to look beyond local consumption for growth.
While domestic demand for higher-end English sparkling wines has cooled, export volumes surged by 35 % in 2024, now accounting for approximately 9 % of total sales. Markets such as Norway, Japan, and China have shown particular interest in sparkling labels produced in the UK.
Key players in the region have also achieved notable recognition—Nyetimber recently became the first English producer to win the prestigious International Wine Challenge award, enhancing the perception of English wine on the global stage.
Challenges remain: logistical scaling, establishing robust supply chains, and mitigating costs in export markets are top priorities. Some winemakers contend with limited production volume and competition from more established sparkling wine regions. Yet optimism persists: producers believe that leveraging the climate advantages of 2025 can amplify England’s position in premium sparkling wine trade.
Why Collectors Should Care:
• Strong climate gives the 2025 vintage potential regional distinction.
• Awards boost the international prestige and secondary market potential of English sparkling wines.
• Export growth could increase availability and liquidity of English wines for collectors abroad.
Source: Reuters — Oct 17, 2025, https://www.reuters.com/business/english-winemakers-hope-export-boost-as-they-toast-warmest-summer-2025-10-17/
