Nick Watson of Strutt & Parker says that in the past year inquiries about buying established vineyards have tripled and that prices have increased by £1,000 ($1,200) per acre, or £2,500 per hectare.
Strutt&Parker的尼克·沃森表示,去年购买成熟葡萄园的问询增加了两倍,每英亩的价格上涨了1000英镑(合1200美元),或每公顷上涨了2500英镑。
Land suitable for viticulture now sells for £40,000-50,000 per hectare (roughly £15,000-20,000 more than basic farmland).
适合种植葡萄的土地现在的售价为每公顷4-5万英镑(比基本农田大约高出1.5 -2万英镑)。
Such prices pale next to those in famed wine regions abroad: in Bordeaux land can fetch over £1.6m a hectare.
与国外著名的葡萄酒产区相比,这样的价格相形见绌:在波尔多,每公顷土地可以卖到160多万英镑。
The disparity has little to do with the quality of the soil and much to do with a region’s reputation: “Sussex” doesn’t yet have the same ring as “Bourgogne”.
这种差异与土壤质量没有多大关系,而与一个地区的声誉有很大关系:“苏塞克斯”还没有“勃艮第”那么响亮。
But Ned Awty, the interim ceo of Winegb, a trade body, says that as the climate warms he expects still-wine production to rise.
但贸易机构Winegb的临时首席执行官内德·阿蒂表示,随着气候变暖,他预计无气葡萄酒的产量将会上升。
He thinks in a decade or so, it will be warm enough in Britain to ripen Merlot.
他认为在十年左右的时间里,英国的气候将足够温暖,可以让梅鹿汁(红葡萄酒)成熟。
Other aspects of climate change are less welcome for winemakers.
气候变化的其他方面对酿酒师来说就不那么受欢迎了。
A year of heavy rain or severe drought could destroy entire crops.
一年的大雨或严重干旱可能会摧毁整个庄稼。
Still wine is at especial risk.
葡萄酒的风险尤其大。
John Atkinson, chief winemaker at Danbury Ridge vineyards in Essex, says that unlike sparkling wines, which provide winemakers with some wiggle room to adjust taste by adding sugars, nailing a good bottle of still Pinot Noir all comes down to the soil, the weather and the barrel.
埃塞克斯丹伯里岭葡萄园的首席酿酒师约翰·阿特金森说,起泡酒通过添加糖给酿酒师提供了一些调整口味的空间,而要酿出一瓶好的黑比诺,归根结底要取决于土壤、天气和橡木桶。
“Growing grapes in this country is a bit like playing cricket,” he says, “There are so many ways to be out.”
“在这个国家种葡萄有点像打板球,”他说,“出路太多了。”