Welsh Wine Wisdom
Until a year ago, this UK wine region had not been on my radar and now it is winning awards and making critics and climate change scientists sit up!
“What we are witnessing in Wales today is the same spark I once saw in emerging regions like Tasmania, Oregon, New Zealand… Places that dared to believe they could stand shoulder to shoulder with established wine nations. And they did! Wales is now stepping proudly onto that very same stage,” Oz Clarke
I must admit that when I attended the Welsh Wine event at 67 Pall Mall in March, the excitement was palpable. There was an array of wine in every style, using international and hybrid grapes, all kinds of innovative vineyard techniques and operating from all around the country.
Quick Welsh Wine Facts:
- There are now 56 Welsh Wine vineyards located all around the country providing over 1,200 jobs in the drinks sector.
- Rising temperatures are expanding viable wine-growing regions in Wales, turning previously marginal land into productive vineyards
- All kinds of grapes are grown in Wales from Chardonnay and Pinot to hybrids like Solaris, Rondo and Seyval Blanc. These hybrid grapes are used deliberately for quality and climate-resilience, not just as a stopgap. I was seriously impressed by the taste and precision of all three.
- Welsh Vineyards are pioneers in decarbonization and low-chemical viticulture, working collaboratively to cut synthetic chemical use and improve soil and biodiversity. I was amazed at how many natural, biodynamic wines were on show; and at the amount of wineries that worked together on natural disease control and low intervention techniques.
- It contributes more than £950 million in retail sales value to the Welsh economy, making it a vital component of the broader drinks sector that generates over £800 million in turnover.
What can one expect to taste in the bottle:
Producers are leaning into freshness and precision rather than power, so the best Welsh bottles feel bright, lower alcohol and food-friendly, with a cool-climate edge and a real sense of place.
For a Gastronomic Sparkling:
Winery USP: An extremely pioneering husband and wife team. Biodynamic, use Austrian oak (unheard of in UK!), fun wine labels and a South African winemaker!
Blanc de Noirs (100% Pinot Noir), 2018 – only 10.5% alcohol £37.15
Taste:
Due to 5 years on lees aging (dead yeast cells), this is a complex and gastronomic sparkling wine. I adored the crinkly apple skinned fruit, salted almond underbelly complete with a coquettish umami aftertaste.
Sparkling Rosé:
Velfrey Vineyard, Pembrokeshire
Winery USP: Family run Velfrey Vineyard is a Visit Wales ‘Hidden Gem’ and has won Food & Drink Wales Small Drinks Producer of the year. The team are big into low intervention wines which are all extremely expressive without being funky! I really love their expressions of Seyval Blanc – both still and sparkling.
Rhosyn ( Rosé in Welsh), Seyval Blanc and Pinot Noir, 2023 £42.00
Rhosyn work Silver at the 2025 Welsh Wine Awards and I can see why. This copper coloured Rosé exudes ripe apricot fruit alongside red plum and has orange rind freshness, a creamy mousse and pastry notes. There is real depth here as well as finesse!
For Chardonnay Lovers:
The Dell Vineyard, Monmouthshire
Winery USP: Husband and wife team who previously worked in graphic design and nursing! The pandemic prompted a career reassessment, and they began leasing a vineyard while planting 8,000 vines on Dan’s family farm. I really enjoyed their whole range and all the wines have beautiful labels and names which tie into Welsh mythological beasts.
Olwen ( Goddess of Sun), 100% Solaris, 2024 £27.00
Taste: This hedonistic wine radiates vinous sunshine with its pina colada rich golden fruit, grapefruit freshness, touch of oaky spice and creamy texture.
For a Flamboyant Red option:
White Castle Vineyard, Abergavenny
Winery USP: As the first Welsh vineyard to win Gold at the prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards, owners Robb and Nicola Merchant have demonstrated that Welsh wines can compete at the highest international levels. Their completion of Y Gwindy, their on-site winery in 2024, represents the kind of infrastructure investment that signals industry maturation and commitment to quality control throughout the production process.
Pinot Noir Précoce, 2023 only 11.5% (!) £37.00
This exuberantly joyous Red won Gold at Wine GB and Best Still Wine of the Competition in 2025! I can see why. It bursts with mulled red plum fruit sprinkled with a fruit crumble like nuttiness which is then enhanced by a slight cindered toffee finish. The juicy acidity means that that this just sings on the palate – no cloying happening here.