Grape Britain
Britain’s favourite wines
Across Britain, wine preferences vary by city and town, with each region showing a distinct preference for grape varieties. From bold reds to crisp whites, discover what wines people love in your area.
Chat with Vinny
Click on the map to discover your town or city’s signature wine.
What is your signature grape variety?
The gem of France’s Rhône Valley and South Australia’s Barossa Valley, Syrah is known for its dark flavours of blackberry, plum and black pepper, alongside aromas of violet, smoke and spice. If you’re a lover of big, bold and velvety wines, this full-bodied, firm red is a must-try. To fully appreciate your Syrah, pair a glass with a hearty dish like beef stew or roast duck.
City | Grape Variety | |
---|---|---|
Aberdeen | Sauvignon Blanc | |
Edinburgh | Tempranillo | |
Blackpool | Durif | |
York | Garnacha | |
Leeds | Viognier | |
Manchester | Albariño | |
Birmingham | Gamay | |
Nottingham | Riesling | |
Luton | Moscatel | |
Norwich | Malvasia | |
London | Melon de Bourgogne | |
Cardiff | Touriga Nacional | |
Bristol | Fernão Pires | |
Brighton | Frappato | |
Plymouth | Nero di Troia | |
Exeter | Zinfandel |
Durif is a deliciously bold red that thrives in California and Australia. It’s packed with dark fruit flavours like blackberry and plum, along with pepper and chocolate notes. With its full body and firm tannins, Durif pairs well with roast beef or strong cheeses as it stands up well to bold flavours. Durif's a good option for anyone who enjoys an intense and satisfying wine.
Riesling is one of the world’s most versatile and aromatic white wines. Look out for notes of green apple, lime, jasmine, beeswax and petrol. Riesling wines can be made in a variety of styles, ranging from bone dry to intensely sweet. Germany’s Mosel region is famous for producing exquisite Riesling wines. For a great food pairing, try spicy Thai cuisine and meaty shellfish – these dishes are beautifully balanced by the wine’s refreshing acidity and aromatic profile.
Nero di Troia is an Italian red known for its rich character. This deep, dark wine features flavours of blackcurrant and plum, with hints of wild herbs and violet. With a bold structure and firm tannins, it pairs well with slow-cooked beef ragu, grilled lamb and roast vegetables. This robust red is also a great match for hard cheeses or a charcuterie board.
Frappato, a light red from Sicily, is known for its bright character. It features strawberry, cherry, and rose petal aromas and has a gentle spice finish. Its refreshing acidity makes a glass of this wine perfect for pairing with pizza or grilled vegetables. If you’re looking for a versatile red that pairs well with different dishes, Frappato offers a great balance of freshness and fruitiness.
As a top Spanish red, Tempranillo dominates the country’s famous Rioja region. Smooth, medium-bodied and velvety, Tempranillo wines are known for their remarkable ageing ability – some can age past 20 years! Packed with rich notes of cherry, plum and dried fig, plus aromas of tobacco and vanilla, a glass of Tempranillo pairs well with grilled lamb or hard cheeses like Manchego. ¡Buen provecho!
It’s no surprise that Sauvignon Blanc is popular all over the globe, with different styles made everywhere from France to Chile to New Zealand. Expect expressive aromas of gooseberry, cut grass and guava lifted by a fresh, racy acidity. For a juicier glass with notes of tropical fruits, look for a bottle from New Zealand, but if you prefer something leaner, explore wines from Chile and France’s Loire Valley. Pair your Sauvignon Blanc with green vegetables, soft cheeses or delicate white seafood.
Albariño is popular for its crisp and refreshing taste. This Spanish white is full of citrus, peach, and melon notes, with a salty hint. Its bright acidity and light body means it's perfect for pairing with seafood dishes or sushi. The fruit notes also work well with the savoury flavours in roast pork. Albariño is a good choice if you're looking for something lively and elegant.
Garnacha is a popular Spanish grape known for its bright and juicy flavours. This versatile red wine is bursting with notes of raspberry and strawberry, plus a touch of white pepper and earthiness. With its fruit flavours, smooth tannins and medium body, Garnacha is perfect for pairing with roast chicken, cheese and onion tart or a hearty paella. Alternatively, enjoy this delicious red on its own!
Gamay is a light red wine loved for its lively and fruity character. Famously associated with France's Beaujolais region, it’s full of cherry and raspberry flavours with floral hints, often enjoyed slightly chilled. Its lively acidity and low tannins make it a good match for charcuterie boards, roast chicken or a fresh summer salad. Gamay is a great choice if you're looking for a refreshing and versatile wine.
Viognier is a fragrant white wine that's traditionally associated with the Rhône Valley but also thrives in wine regions worldwide. Known for its aromas of peach, apricot, and honeysuckle, Viognier is rich, lush and aromatic. Its smooth texture and balanced acidity make it ideal for creamy chicken dishes or spicy dishes.
Elegant and fruity, Touriga Nacional is used in Portugal to create premium single-variety and blended wines and Port, a fortified wine. This velvety wine variety boasts intense flavours of blackberry, blueberry and plum, and aromas of violet, mint and spice. Some of the most premium Touriga Nacional wines come from Portugal’s Duoro Valley. This delicious red pairs extremely well with braised lamb or roasted aubergines.
Moscatel is known for its aromatic intensity and is made in both dry and sweet styles. This Mediterranean wine is full of floral notes, orange blossom, peach, and grape aromas. Its sweet profile pairs very well with fruit-based or creamy desserts and also provides a good contrast with blue cheese. Enjoy a glass of this fragrant wine as a dessert wine or a pre-dinner drink.
Italian Malvasia is well-known for its aromatic and refreshing qualities. This white wine features floral and citrus aromas with notes of apricot and honey. Its crisp acidity and medium body make it a great match for seafood risotto or burrata cheese, as it adds a fresh touch to creamy dishes. It’s perfect as an aperitif or with a meal.
Also simply known as ‘Melon’, this grape variety creates lean, mineral-driven white wines with a distinctive saline note. Look for notes of lime, green apple and pear. France’s Muscadet region is well-known for producing this light-bodied, acidic white. Its salinity, high acidity and bright citrus notes mean it pairs very well with seafood, particularly oysters.
Zinfandel thrives in California, particularly in the Napa Valley and Sonoma County wine regions. This medium- to full-bodied wine often has a jammy texture, with a hint of smokiness and balanced acidity. Look for bold notes of red cherry, strawberry, boysenberry, black pepper and baking spices. Pair a glass of Californian Zinfandel with barbecued ribs or a rich, spicy ratatouille – the wine’s bright fruitiness complements these flavourful dishes very well.
Fernão Pires is a white Portuguese wine brimming with citrus, peach and white blossom flavours, plus aromas of orange blossom and honey. This light- to medium-bodied wine is known for its aromatic intensity and refreshing texture – perfect for sipping during the summer months. A glass of Fernão Pires will pair well with fresh seafood and vegetable dishes such as grilled sea bass or lemon risotto scattered with fresh greens.
Signature wines are assigned to a region based on how much of a particular variety is consumed per head in that location compared to any other area.
Primitivo, once ranked third in 2020, was the UK’s favourite red grape variety. Shiraz has now replaced it.
Shiraz has jumped from 7th place in 2020 to 3rd place in 2023, reflecting Britain’s growing preference for bold red wines.
Both Chardonnay (previously 9th) and Monastrell (previously 10th) have dropped out of the top 10 in 2023, making way for new varieties.
British wine drinkers are exploring new tastes, moving away from traditional choices and embracing bolder or lesser-known varieties.
More adventurous choices have replaced classic favourites like Chardonnay and Monastrell.
Rosé wine sales skyrocketed by over 3,000% in just three years, highlighting a growing trend of Brits favouring lighter, summer-friendly wines all year round.
Shop RoséSource: Laithwaites sales data from 2019 to 2023