📍 East of England

The East of England is a region in eastern England that includes Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and other counties. It belongs to English wine and is considered one of the driest and sunniest corners of the country, so grapes ripen more reliably here than in the west.

In recent decades a warming climate has helped a wine boom: vineyards have appeared in Essex and Suffolk, and wineries are growing fast. The Crouch Valley in Essex is well known.

Growers plant Bacchus, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Bacchus is a white variety of German origin that makes aromatic, fresh wines with elderflower and citrus notes. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay give still red and white wines as well as sparkling wine made in the Champagne method, which is regarded as the calling card of English winemaking.

English wine has a protected designation both in the United Kingdom and in the European Union. The East of England borders London, so local wineries attract many visitors for tastings and tours. In English winemaking the main grapes for sparkling wines are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, as in Champagne.