Kent named UK’s second largest consumer of English wine
KENT is not only one of the leading producers of English wine, but is also one of its largest consumers, industry figures have revealed. Only London downs more of the home-grown fizz, a report by independent seller Naked Wines found, with just under 19 per cent of the company’s sales taking place in the capital.
Accounting for 5.62 per cent of all bottles sold last year, Kent tops a board of regions that is dominated by the Home Counties.
Lancashire, in ninth place with around half of Kent’s intake, is the only county not within an hour’s drive of the capital to make it into the top ten.
Naked Wines, which runs crowdfunding campaigns for independent winemakers, said it has enjoyed a 16 per cent surge in English wine sales in the 12 months to July.
This has vindicated the £1million investment the firm has made in English Wines through its crowdfunding campaign.
Eamon FitzGerald, Managing Director of Naked Wines UK, said: “As a crowdfunded wine business, we invest where our customers tell us to, so it’s fantastic to see English fizz now bubbling over as one of their favourites.
“People are voting with their taste buds, backing British businesses and winemakers pursuing their dreams. “This has given us the confidence to commit £1million of investment into English wine. We’re very proud to be backing Britain.”
Among the best-known vineyards in Kent and Sussex is the NEX Exchange Market-listed Chapel Down, which operates across Tenterden, Blue Bell Hill and the Weald.
London Stock Exchange member Gusbourne Estate grows around Appledore in Romney Marsh and in Sussex. Biddenden Vineyard, Hush Heath Estate in Staplehurst, and Mount Vineyard in Shoreham, near Sevenaoks, are among many others.
