ENGLISH wine is being celebrated throughout England during the week Saturday, May 23, to Sunday, May 31.

The production and planting of vineyards across the UK has been increasing year on year with hectarage now at the highest ever levels.

Average annual production is exceeding four million bottles per year, with the largest growing variety being English sparkling wines.

(The UK now produces 1/8th as much bubbly as the Champagne region in France.) In the last 15 years, English sparkling wines have won eight trophies for best international sparkling wines and four trophies for best sparkling rose – more than any other country.

At Stroud farmers’ market, the event will be marked by Bow-in-the-Cloud Vineyard introducing their new wine – the 2014 vintage Cloud Nine dry white blend, which according to Keith Willingale, the vineyard's owner, is even better than the very excellent 2013 vintage.

The 2013 vintage, which was awarded a silver medal in a German competition last year, was very popular and has now sold out.

It is hoped that market customers will take the opportunity presented by English Wine Week to sample the new wine.

Mr Willingale will, as usual, be conducting tutored tastings on May 23 and May 30.

This wine has also been entered into the same competition in Germany and is expected to do at least as well as the 2013, but pending the result it is being offered at the same price of £10 a bottle (£55 for six).

The Schönburger dry white and the traditional and pink bubblies will also be on sale as usual.

The details of all the wines can be seen on the vineyard website at www.bowinthecloud.co.uk.

Also present for both Saturdays of Wine Week will be VQ Country Wines with their range of classic English fruit, vegetable and hedgerow wines.

Elsewhere this week we have David’s Chilli Oils, new Stroud stall Goat Maid Soap, Phoenix free range turkey eggs, Simon Weaver Organic Brie and Stroud Brewery.