the numerous local climatic conditions we enjoy . We are the newest New World wine country . Some regulations will transpire naturally as our wine world evolves , or if some sly operators try to take advantage of the unregulated brilliance Kent has achieved so far .
Sparkling wine will probably need some sort of definition to be agreed upon . Different areas of Kent will prove particularly good for certain types of grape variety , certain sorts of wines . It ’ s a work in progress - let it continue like that . English sparkling wine is a surprisingly successful title . Now it ’ s up to the producers and their brands to promote themselves under its umbrella .
What ’ s next for wine producers of Kent ? Wine tourism . Kent is close to London , close to Europe , and full of beautiful landscapes . It has managed to preserve , against the odds , a countryside that I remember from being a kid - now with added vines . We should all make our tasting areas and vineyards as attractive as possible , and pull together as one county - the inimitable Wine Garden of England .
All illustrations © Jay Cover
Oz Clarke ’ s English Wine : From Still to Sparkling . The Newest New World Wine Country ( Pavilion Books ) is out now .
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