05-28-2010, 01:17 PM
This weekend the corks will start popping as Welsh Wine Week 2010 gets underway (May 29 – June 6).
For anyone with a thirst for wine, Welsh Wine Week is not to be missed!
The event aims to spark interest in Wales’ wine producers and vineyards will be offering tastings, tours, and special promotions to show the quality of Welsh wine.
Tourism is becoming a big part of the Welsh viticultural scene with vineyards opening their doors to visitors, encouraging them to see how vines are grown and wine is made, and to buy direct, with a number of vineyards holding special events and tastings.
Many vineyards now have shops and cafes making a trip to a vineyard a popular outing for all the family.
Producers are also taking steps to connect with the increasingly environmentally and provenance conscious consumer.
A number of vineyards in South East Wales have come together to form the Sustainable Welsh Wine Group (sustainablewelshwine.co.uk) which will be promoted during Welsh Wine Week.
With support from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Sustainable Supply Chains initiative (sustainablesupplychains.org.uk) which helps Welsh food and drink micro-enterprises access new markets through adopting sustainable ways of doing business, the vineyards are working together for a brighter future for the industry.
The aim is to take steps towards sustainable consumption and production by safeguarding the environment and communities they serve while building resilient and viable businesses.
“It is an exciting initiative for all those involved,†said Iain Cox, Sustainable Supply Chains Co-Director.
“It is though the first step and there is much work still to be done, but we hope the end result will show how the Welsh Wine industry can lead the way in sustainable practices.â€
This is work in development and each vineyard has committed to four generic principles: conserving and improving the natural environment, minimising resource use and reducing carbon emissions, building a Welsh identity, and working together. A logo will identify participating vineyards and it is hoped the scheme will eventually be rolled out across Wales.
Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones said, “The Welsh wine industry is a growing sector and through the Sustainable Supply Chains initiative, producers will be able to tap into new markets and take a practical approach to sustainability.
“I also hope Welsh wine producers will enter this year’s True Taste Awards, further enhancing their growing reputation.â€
Parva Farm Vineyard, near Tintern in Monmouthshire parvafarm.co.uk is a Sustainable Welsh Wine Group member.
Said owner, Judith Dudley, “Vineyards by their very nature are sustainable and often in beautiful countryside. As a group of Welsh vineyard owners, we are working towards further improving the sustainability of our vineyards and providing better wildlife habitat and enjoyment for visitors as well as great wines to drink!â€
There are more than 20 vineyards spread throughout Wales, several offer public tours throughout the year such as Cwm Deri Vineyard at Martletwy in Pembrokeshire which features a pets corner, vineyard walks and a restaurant. Earlier this month Cwm Deri launched its new spirit range cwm-deri.co.uk
Wernddu Vineyard at Pen-y-Clawdd in Monmouth will be opening to the public on June 5&6 between 11am and 7pm to celebrate the launch of its first sparkling wine wernddu-wine.co.uk
Welsh wines are making a splash on the international scene, with many giving their more established continental counterparts a run for their money.
Among them is Ancre Hill Estates ancrehillestates.co.uk which recently added a bronze medal from the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) to its impressive trophy tally.
For anyone with a thirst for wine, Welsh Wine Week is not to be missed!
The event aims to spark interest in Wales’ wine producers and vineyards will be offering tastings, tours, and special promotions to show the quality of Welsh wine.
Tourism is becoming a big part of the Welsh viticultural scene with vineyards opening their doors to visitors, encouraging them to see how vines are grown and wine is made, and to buy direct, with a number of vineyards holding special events and tastings.
Many vineyards now have shops and cafes making a trip to a vineyard a popular outing for all the family.
Producers are also taking steps to connect with the increasingly environmentally and provenance conscious consumer.
A number of vineyards in South East Wales have come together to form the Sustainable Welsh Wine Group (sustainablewelshwine.co.uk) which will be promoted during Welsh Wine Week.
With support from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Sustainable Supply Chains initiative (sustainablesupplychains.org.uk) which helps Welsh food and drink micro-enterprises access new markets through adopting sustainable ways of doing business, the vineyards are working together for a brighter future for the industry.
The aim is to take steps towards sustainable consumption and production by safeguarding the environment and communities they serve while building resilient and viable businesses.
“It is an exciting initiative for all those involved,†said Iain Cox, Sustainable Supply Chains Co-Director.
“It is though the first step and there is much work still to be done, but we hope the end result will show how the Welsh Wine industry can lead the way in sustainable practices.â€
This is work in development and each vineyard has committed to four generic principles: conserving and improving the natural environment, minimising resource use and reducing carbon emissions, building a Welsh identity, and working together. A logo will identify participating vineyards and it is hoped the scheme will eventually be rolled out across Wales.
Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones said, “The Welsh wine industry is a growing sector and through the Sustainable Supply Chains initiative, producers will be able to tap into new markets and take a practical approach to sustainability.
“I also hope Welsh wine producers will enter this year’s True Taste Awards, further enhancing their growing reputation.â€
Parva Farm Vineyard, near Tintern in Monmouthshire parvafarm.co.uk is a Sustainable Welsh Wine Group member.
Said owner, Judith Dudley, “Vineyards by their very nature are sustainable and often in beautiful countryside. As a group of Welsh vineyard owners, we are working towards further improving the sustainability of our vineyards and providing better wildlife habitat and enjoyment for visitors as well as great wines to drink!â€
There are more than 20 vineyards spread throughout Wales, several offer public tours throughout the year such as Cwm Deri Vineyard at Martletwy in Pembrokeshire which features a pets corner, vineyard walks and a restaurant. Earlier this month Cwm Deri launched its new spirit range cwm-deri.co.uk
Wernddu Vineyard at Pen-y-Clawdd in Monmouth will be opening to the public on June 5&6 between 11am and 7pm to celebrate the launch of its first sparkling wine wernddu-wine.co.uk
Welsh wines are making a splash on the international scene, with many giving their more established continental counterparts a run for their money.
Among them is Ancre Hill Estates ancrehillestates.co.uk which recently added a bronze medal from the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) to its impressive trophy tally.