Bolney Pinot Noir
Red wine from Sussex, made from the grape that also goes into much English sparkling wine.
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The English red wines we would buy
England makes red wine in smaller amounts than white or sparkling. Expect light, fresh reds, mostly from Pinot Noir, which ripens better in the warmer summers of recent years.
Which one to choose
- English Pinot Noir: Simpsons’ Rabbit Hole, light and elegant, or Bolney Pinot Noir, a little darker.
- Good value: Bolney Lychgate Red, a medium-bodied dry red.
Prices and stock are checked every week. Prices are for a single 75cl bottle.
Red wine
England makes red wine in smaller amounts, mostly light and fresh, and mostly from Pinot Noir.
Bolney Lychgate Red
A medium-bodied dry red from Bolney, and the best value of these.
Visit Our guide to Bolney
What English red tastes like
English reds are light to medium in body, with bright acidity, red-fruit flavours such as cherry, raspberry and redcurrant, and modest alcohol. Think of a cool-climate Pinot Noir from Burgundy or Germany rather than a rich red from Spain or Australia. In a warm year the best are fuller and more savoury, and in a cool year they are lighter and more delicate, so the vintage on the label matters more than it does for most wines.
Pinot Noir is the main grape, along with Pinot Noir Précoce, an early-ripening form of it that suits a short English summer. Some growers use varieties bred for cool, damp climates, such as Rondo, Regent and Acolon, and a few are trying newer disease-resistant grapes like the Swiss Divico, which gives deep-coloured reds. These are often blended into a house red rather than sold on their own.
Where to taste English red at the vineyard
- Bolney, SussexMade its first red in 1998 and built its name on Pinot Noir when few English vineyards made red at all. Our guide to Bolney
- Warehorne, KentA young family vineyard above Romney Marsh that concentrates on still wine and reds in particular, including Divico. Our guide to Warehorne
- Westwell, KentLight, experimental reds such as Double Pinot alongside its whites and rosés. Our guide to Westwell
- Gusbourne, KentBest known for sparkling wine, but makes a small amount of still Pinot Noir that often sells out. Our guide to Gusbourne
- Denbies, SurreyIts Redlands red is sold in the shop at the estate outside Dorking. Our guide to Denbies
Food to go with it
Light English reds suit food that a heavy red would overwhelm: roast chicken, duck, pork, mushroom dishes, salmon and charcuterie. Serve them slightly cool, around 14°C, which keeps the fruit fresh.
Questions people ask
Does England make good red wine?
Yes, though in small amounts. English reds are light and fresh rather than rich, and Pinot Noir from the best estates has improved a great deal as summers have warmed.
What is the main red grape in England?
Pinot Noir. It is also one of the three main grapes in English sparkling wine, so most estates grow it.
Should English red wine be served chilled?
A light English Pinot Noir is good slightly cool, around cellar temperature. A short time in the fridge before serving brings out its freshness.
Why is English red wine less common than white or sparkling?
Red grapes need more summer warmth to ripen fully than white grapes or the grapes picked early for sparkling wine. Most English Pinot Noir goes into sparkling wine, where it does not need to be as ripe, so only the warmest sites and years give enough for still reds.
How long can I keep English red wine?
Most are made to drink young, within two or three years of the vintage, while the fruit is fresh. The best Pinot Noirs from warm years can keep longer; the producer's notes will say.