How to support your favourite English winemaker this Good Friday

As the Easter weekend nears and the UK's coronavirus lockdown continues, wine fans in England and Wales are being encouraged to support their favourite producers.

The Big English Wine Good Friday (#theBIGenglishwinegoodfriday) will see a number of tasting events and activities hosted online this Friday, 10 April from 7pm in support of English and Welsh winemakers.

It was initiated by Black Chalk winemaker Jacob Leadley, who asserted that, "If every person in the UK that loves English or Welsh wine bought a bottle direct from their favourite producer, I think we might secure an entire industry and their workforce on one very enjoyable evening."

Following the circulation of this message via email, it found its way on the Twitter where the concept and hashtag #theBIGenglishwinegoodfriday were born.

Organisers hope to build momentum and encourage consumers to order a bottle of English or Welsh wine either direct from the vineyard or from a retailer or agent in time to enjoy on Good Friday evening - at a time when wine producers are suffering from the UK's on-trade shut-down due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Alongside this, a number of winemakers will be producing short videos to release across social media on Friday along with tasting notes and commentary posted by wine writers, sommeliers, retailers and other industry figures. 

Julia Trustram Eve, marketing manager at WineGB, said: "This is a fantastic initiative that's bringing together and growing a wide community of English wine lovers. It's also encouraging consumers to shop local and great to see the support that it has already generated from our friends in the industry and trade."

WineGB has set up a Shop Local campaign page for consumers to find vineyards that will deliver direct to their home, at www.winegb.co.uk/visitors/shop-local.

Follow #theBIGenglishwinegoodfriday for updates on tastings and activities taking place at 7pm on Good Friday, 10 April.

6 April 2020 - Bethany Whymark