It’s been a vintage year for English wines

♦ English wine enjoyed a record year in 2017, with 64per cent more bottles reaching the market than in 2016.

HMRC figures show that 3.86million bottles of Uk-made wine were released for sale last year, up from 2016’s 2.36million bottles.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) said the English wine industry was reaping the benefits of a “huge” investment, leading to an increase in vines planted in the past 10 years.

English sparkling wine is made with the same traditional method as champagne, meaning it is left to age in the bottle for about three years.

WSTA said last year’s figures were the result of a bumper 2014 harvest for vineyards, and the release of several special edition and vintage wines.

Next month, Rathfinny Wine Estate in Sussex will launch its sparkling Blanc de Blancs after bottling its first wine in May 2015.

The estate said it aimed to eventually reach production of more than 80,000 cases by 2025.