Following on from the royal wedding and its patronage of English wine the royal family has now decided to become royal vignerons by planting 16,700 vines in a section of Windsor Great Park, the former hunting park to which Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were so devoted.

The vineyard will be planted with the three Champagne varieties – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier – with a view to making an English sparkling wine.

Master of Wine Stephen Skelton, who will be advising on the project, was responsible for planting the first vines at the Chapel Down vineyard in Kent, which produced the wine that was drunk at the recent royal wedding. The Duke of Edinburgh is also said to be closely involved.

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