Drinkers could start to see a rise in English wine on supermarket shelves as farmers across the country adapt to rising temperatures.
Conditions locally have become better-suited to grow certain grape varieties, paving the way for a sprawling winemaking industry.
Martin Lines, chief executive of the Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN), said: “As our climate warms there will be opportunities to grow crops currently more common in other parts of Europe in the UK.
“Growing grapes for wine offers farmers a chance to diversify their business and stack enterprises on their land, making them more resilient financially.
“This is further helped by the increasing recognition at home and internationally of the quality of British wine.”
Warmer temperatures have enabled better ripening of Britain’s grapes, leading to better qualities of wine.
Last month was the warmest February on record globally, making it the ninth month in a row with record temperatures for the time of year, scientists have said.
The data shows February was 1.77C warmer than the pre-industrial average for the month, from 1850-1900, and 0.81C above 1991-2020 levels.
Dr Friederike Otto, from the Grantham Institute for Climate Change and the Environment, Imperial College London, said: “People should not be surprised that we have broken another record.
“Humans continue to burn oil, gas, and coal, so the climate continues to warm. It is a very well understood relationship.
“There is no silver bullet or magic fix for climate change. We know what to do – stop burning fossil fuels and replace them with more sustainable, renewable sources of energy.
“Until we do that, extreme weather events intensified by climate change will continue to destroy lives and livelihoods.”
Farmer Jon Thornes has planted just under 10 acres of vineyards on his organic farm in Lincolnshire following a rise in UK temperatures.
Former IT worker Jon, who started farming seven years ago with his wife, said: “You’ve got to look at where we’re going and things are warming up. Trees are in bud already, normally it’d be about another month before they’re in bud.
“Things are starting much quicker.”
Jon, who farms on the Lincolnshire Wold, is passionate about feeding locals.
He changed his crops to grains and pulses that local people can eat.
Jon, 63, said: “One of the crops we planted was grapes, just under 10 acres over a year ago.
“The world’s changing and you’ve got to keep up with the world. It’s not a level playing field. A farmer in the UK has to compete with others in the rest of Europe or the rest of the world.
“If we’re not, we won’t be getting a proper wage – not only for ourselves but for our staff as well.”
The crops are currently around six inches tall so will not be ready for a few more years.
Jon, whose farm is pesticide-free, said “my keenness” is seeing people’s smiles when they eat.
He described his latest venture as “my retirement project”.
Farmers across the UK have already begun adapting to a rise in more extreme weather, including floods.
Mr Lines said: “Vineyards can be a very positive addition to the landscape, especially when nature-friendly practices are used.
“Working with nature can boost biodiversity while also helping winemakers minimise their use of pesticides by supporting beneficial insects which provide services such as natural pest control.
“Wine is another crop that helps farmers to deliver food production in a changing climate, although one that will not work for everyone as vines will only grow on certain soils.
“Like other fruit crops, growing grapes in vineyards is a long-term investment, so winemakers and farmers will benefit from long-term support to enable them to establish themselves and their businesses with confidence.”
