English Chardonnay takes centre stage at awards
Chardonnay has overtaken Bacchus as a leading force in English wine, while rosé and disease-resistant PIWI varieties also impressed at the WineGB Awards 2026, highlighting the growing diversity and quality of the English wine sector.
The WineGB Awards 2026 results suggest English wine is entering a new phase of maturity. Chardonnay was the dominant grape among the top-scoring wines, featuring in many of the competition's Gold medal winners. Producers such as Lyme Bay Winery, Gusbourne and Digby Fine English demonstrated the variety's versatility across both still and sparkling styles, reinforcing its status as England's flagship premium grape.
While Bacchus remains synonymous with English still wine, Chardonnay's growing success reflects increasing confidence in producing wines capable of competing on the international stage. Traditional method sparkling wines continued to shine, with Chardonnay playing a leading role in many of the highest-rated entries.
Rosé was another standout category. Producers including Danbury Ridge and Woodchester Valley earned strong results, reflecting the category's rapid rise in quality and consumer appeal. Once viewed as a niche style, English rosé is increasingly establishing its own identity.
Kent, Sussex and Hampshire once again dominated the medal tables, confirming their status as England's leading wine regions. However, strong performances from vineyards in Essex, Dorset and Herefordshire demonstrated that excellence is spreading beyond the traditional heartlands.
Among the individual wines attracting attention were standout Gold medal winners such as Digby Fine English's Leander Pink Brut and several Chardonnay-led sparkling wines from established southern producers.
Perhaps the most interesting trend was the performance of PIWI varieties. Wines made from disease-resistant grapes secured impressive medals, suggesting these sustainable varieties are becoming more than experimental curiosities. As growers face pressure to reduce chemical inputs and adapt to changing climatic conditions, PIWIs appear increasingly capable of delivering both environmental and commercial success.
