Vintage year in offing as unseasonal sunshine cause buds to emerge earlier than normal
For the hardy British winemaker who has the tough task of trying to create a vintage to compete with the great European and New World producers, spring can be a cruel season.
But thanks to this year's unseasonal heat and the lack of rain and late frost, English and Welsh vineyards are in a state of high excitement about 2011.
The sunshine has caused buds to emerge earlier than normal, with little frost damage. That should allow winemakers to harvest the grapes earlier – so they avoid weather damage in the autumn – or to leave them to mature on the vine for longer, potentially creating better wine.
At the Camel Valley vineyard near Bodmin, in Cornwall, Sam Lindo is optimistic that this could be a great year for English wine.
"What normally dictates a really good crop for us is a good start to the year like this. I have never seen them looking so healthy as they are at the moment," Lindo, the British winemaker of the year, said.
"We are at least two weeks ahead, and it is the best start I have seen because we have had such an exceptionally long period of good weather."
If the good weather continues – and Lindo accepts that is a big "if" – Camel Valley could be harvesting its grapes by the middle of September. Hilary Waller, who owns Eastcott Vineyard in Okehampton, Devon, shares Lindo's optimism. She said: "Our vines are at least three weeks early and, if we can reach the end of May with no frost, it looks set to be a brilliant year."
The vineyard, which has fine views across to Dartmoor, produces sparkling wine as well as reds, whites and rosés. "This month is absolutely crucial for us, but it is the earliest I have seen the vines start budding and we're all very hopeful," Waller said.
Another award-winner, Duncan Schwab, who produces 100,000 bottles of wine annually from his Sharpham Vineyard near Totnes, Devon, said he was "very excited" about the coming year.
He added: "This year has seen a cracking start for us, it is the earliest I have ever seen the grapes start shooting.
"They are at least two weeks ahead of what one would expect, which means we might be able to harvest them earlier than normal so there is less risk of them being affected by bad weather. The riper they are, the better sugar levels and the better quality of wine we will see."
The UK has around 400 vineyards, and British wine is enjoying a surge in popularity. More farmers are diversifying into wine production thanks to changes in farming subsidies, and most experts agree the quality has improved enormously in recent years.
Julia Trustram-Eve, of English Wine Producers, has compiled a report on the early crop and says there has been a "buzz" among growers.
She sounded a note of caution, however, pointing out there is still a chance of frost but adding that there is nevertheless a possibility of "record-breaking" crops.
And it's not just the vineyards that are celebrating. Some southern strawberry growers are heralding their finest crop for 20 years, although they could do with a drop of rain now.
One of England's largest strawberry growers, R and V Emery, based near Southampton, said the good weather had brought the season forward by about two weeks and the increased sugar levels had made the current crop much sweeter and juicier than normal.
Vernon Emery, who runs the business with his brother, Richard, said: "The extra warmth has helped boost sugar levels, but equally important have been good levels of light which have helped the fruit set and encouraged bees to pollinate the plants.
"Our production yield is up by 150% on recent years – and if the good weather continues and we get some rain too, we could be heading for a record year."