So far this week we’ve talked to chief executives, makers, marketers, and retailers…we now turn our attentions to competitors. Or rather, competition organisers. For the last 8 years the Independent English Wine Awards (IEWA) has flown the flag for this growing industry, and its many varied and dynamic producers.

Lee himself holds the privilege of having judged, and served as a panel chair, and multiple occasions but this time, we get the down low, the intel, the facts from the founder of this competition. Alex Taylor had his interest in wine competitions piqued by studying WSET. He was furious when first introduced to English wine…that it hadn’t been brought to his attention earlier. Thus started a journey into starting a competition that would help raise the profile of producers and the whole category.

Alex explains his ethos, how the competition works, and mentions just a few of the many extremely talented judges and brilliant medal winners. It’s a classic TM&TM slice of English wine action so strap in and enjoy. We also have a special visit from the Taylor clan.

@nicolabateswinegb @winegb @tasetbristol @the.iewa @dnkrbywine @messy.massey @lymebaywine @jameslambertwine @theenglishwineman @hawkinsbros @waistcoatwines @pickledmimi @huxbear_vineyard @susyatkins @food_writer @liamsteevenson @langhamwinery @tuffonhallwine @windingwoodvineyard @burnvalleyvineyard @greatbritishwine #Englishwineweek #Englishwine #DrinkEnglish #EWW #ESW #EnglishSparklingWine @fergelias @wineman147

For several years now, Lee has talked about his heroes, specifically his wine heroes, more specifically his wine superheroes. There is an equivalent to the Bat Signal in this world of English wine, and it takes the form of Sarah Massey and Lyme Bay.

We have been incredibly fortunate to grab a few minutes of Sarah’s time and here we explore her journey into wine and how she has become not only a stellar winemaker, but a serious role model for young women in the industry. There is much more to this conversation and we hope to have Sarah back on soon for a full episode to explore her career, influences, and huge impact on the industry.

This aside we learn about the ethos and direction of Lyme Bay, and how Sarah goes about expressing the multiple sites and high quality fruit grown in some of England’s most premium and exciting sites. It’s a jam packed episode and one we know has much more to cover. We press Sarah for her favourites in the Lyme Bay range and recommend seeking them out to enjoy this English Wine Week.

@nicolabateswinegb @winegb @messy.massey @lymebaywine @jameslambertwine #Englishwineweek #Englishwine #DrinkEnglish #EWW #ESW #EnglishSparklingWine @fergelias @wineman147

It’s all very well and good talking about the amazing producers, sites, and fruit England now has in its armoury. It’s also fun talking about marketing and comms (hear yesterday’s episode) but who is on the front lines? Who is going out into the real world of UK wine consumers and fighting the good fight to get as many great wines in front of them as possible?

We have some great retailers of wine in the UK and in today’s episode we spend some time chatting to the wonderful James Hawkins of Hawkins Bros, an English Wine Specialist retailer. It’s here at the coal face that we can discover in real time what consumer think, want, and expect of English wine. Retailers perform a key task in being the link from vineyard and winery to actual drinker and James shares his insights and thoughts on where English wine sits in the mind of the modern consumer.

Among events the Hawkins Bros are running this week you’ll be able to try wines from @albourneestate @extonparkvineyard @greyfriarsvineyard @simpsonswine @candoverbrook @drink.folc @ambrielsparkling (which won’t be the only time they’re mentioned in this series!). James also talks about his discoveries through @the.iewa including @windingwoodvineyard and @poyningsgrangevineyard.

Keep your eye on their social channels for full event details.

@nicolabateswinegb @winegb @tastebristol@theenglishwineman @hawkinsbros #Englishwineweek #Englishwine #DrinkEnglish #EWW #ESW #EnglishSparklingWine @fergelias @wineman147

Like any decent minded individual we bloody love Dan Kirby. A font of wisdom and knowledge, MW student, and Brand Ambassador for Flint Vineyards. We get straight into it by asking Dan to give us the intel on Flint but the conversation quickly moves into the realm of consumer attitudes, expectations, and how we can better build comms and engagement.

With Dan’s trademark insight and wit we look into where English wine is currently and examine the opportunities for growth. All of this weaves effortlessly around what Flint do, how they do it, and what makes them tick. There’s a lot of great stuff here from both a producer and consumer perspective.

So, settle in and prepare to be both soothed and enlightened by the gentle tones of one of English wine’s great figures.

@nicolabateswinegb @winegb @dnkrbywine @flintvineyard #Englishwineweek #Englishwine #DrinkEnglish #EWW #ESW #EnglishSparklingWine @fergelias @wineman147

Who better to talk to at the beginning of English Wine Week than Nicola Bates? The Chief Executive of WineGB very kindly found time in her ridiculously busy schedule to talk to us.

Nicola talks us through the vital work of WineGB and explains the many different complex areas in which this organisation works. We assess the impact on plans of the sudden election campaign and discuss how to move forward during these turbulent times.

Nicola also explains the key areas of focus for WineGB and its members, before we go all JFK and ask not what WineGB can do for us, but what can we do for WineGB. Finally, we ask Nicola to highlight some important events and activity to look for during this English Wine Week. There’s a lot of ground covered for such a short episode and we hope to entice Nicola back for a more indepth chat in future. Until then, enjoy this great primer to English wine and English Wine Week.

Our sincere thanks again to Nicola for finding the time to chat to us.

@nicolabateswinegb @winegb #Englishwineweek #Englishwine #DrinkEnglish #EWW #ESW #EnglishSparklingWine @fergelias @wineman147