It’s more than just speculation….
The English wine industry is flying high at the moment with global recognition putting their efforts front and centre in terms of visibility on the wine scene. If the rain stays away, 2025 could be as good as 2018 for the growers over there. Excitement builds as beautifully ripe grapes wax and bloom in readiness for picking this month.
The noise is never louder than when standing with Dermot and Ana Sugrue and their project in the South, Sugrue South Downs. Having left well known Champagne houses in the stalls with their recent win in Decanter’s 2025 ranking of Sparkling wine in magnums. The first blind tasting competition to mix Champagne with other regions. Sugrue is the most exciting producer in the UK at the moment.
Not afraid to think outside the box, Dermot’s tinkering in the winery has moved them outside the ‘safe zone’ and into an innovative and exciting realm with Bonkers Chardonnay. A self-confessed Chardonnay nut, Dermot produced the first release from the 2022 vintage, this is the product of a rainy day and the discovery of a half full barrel of resolute Chardonnay, defying expectations by the clarity and stability exposed post oxidation. Blended with some other small parcels and plonked in American oak for a little ‘je ne c’est quoi’, we have a unique and delicious English Chardonnay making waves wherever it’s tasted. So popular is ‘Bonkers’ that Dermot is already taking orders for the next vintage, still in barrel.
