Norfolk's vineyards set for tasty vintage from fewer grapes

But while the county's vineyards are suffering a reduced crop after a dour start to the growing season, there's good news for wine lovers.

For experts say this year's vintage could turn out to be the best-tasting for years.

EDP wine writer Andy Newman (Image: Rebecca Mundy) Norwich-based wine writer and EDP columnist Andy Newman said the 2024 crop had been poor across the UK.

"The principal factor is the weather," he said.  "It was cold in the spring when the vines were flowering, resulting in far fewer buds setting. 

"On top of this, there was a bumper harvest last year, which often results in a lower yield the following year, as the vines recover."

Grapes on the vine at the Burn Valley Vineyard (Image: Burn Valley Vineyard) But Mr Newman said there could be good news ahead for wine drinkers.

"A lower yield can result in better quality grapes, as the minerals which contribute to the flavour are concentrated in fewer grapes," he added. 

"A smaller yield should give a more intense flavour. But not necessarily sweeter or fruitier - that depends on so many variables, especially how much the grapes have ripened.

The harvest under way at the Burn Valley Vineyard (Image: Burn Valley Vineyard) "But that is not guaranteed - all sorts of factors combine to determine the quality of the final wine in the bottle.

"These are the challenges that all winemakers face.  It's also what makes wine so fascinating - the infinite variety of a totally natural product."

This year's crop at the Burn Valley Vineyard, near North Creake, amounted to 4.7 tonnes of grapes - compared to last year's bumper haul of 33 tonnes.

Matt Abbey at the Burn Valley Vineyard (Image: Chris Bishop) But head winemaker Matt Abbey was upbeat after the grapes were brought in and fermentation got under way in oak barrels.

"I'm really happy with what's come into the winery," he said. "The fruit that's come in is really, really good quality.

"The vines had less fruit to concentrate on ripening, the less fruit, the more energy the vine will put into the grapes it has."

The harvest under way at the Burn Valley Vineyard (Image: Burn Valley Vineyard) Mr Abbey expects wine from this year's crop to be ready for bottling around July or August next year.

But while there will be fewer - albeit more flavoursome - bottles, last year's bounty means supplies are unlikely to dry up.

"A lot of people are still sitting on volume from last year," said Mr Abbey.

Some of the wines produced at the Burn Valley Vineyard (Image: Chris Bishop) Phoebe French, from producer's group WineGB, said: "There is an association with lower yields and quality, though the relationship is complex and not fully understood.

"Harvest is only just finishing up, so it is too early to comment fully on volumes and quality for 2024.

"Like many wine regions in Europe, we have experienced challenging conditions this year and are expecting reduced production due to high disease pressure that has required proactive management."

Vineyards are reporting far fewer grapes this year (Image: Chris Bishop) Along with the vagaries of the weather, Norfolk wine growers have feathered foes to contend with.

Pheasants are game for grapes, with vines near shoots where the birds are reared vulnerable to air raids.

Partridges, which are also released en masse into the countryside are often their partners in crime. 

Pheasants are notoriously fond of grapes (Image: Newsquest) Mr Abbey said while the numerous red kites which prowl over the downs helped deter the birds from Burn Valley's vines, other vineyards had not escaped the scourge.

One deemed its crop to be not worth harvesting after the birds had finished tucking in.

It remains to be seen whether the grapes will mean a more flavoursome roast when the birds come out of the oven - washed down with a glass or two of Norfolk wine.