Press Release

10th June 2009

MEET THE AUTHOR OF GRAPE BRITAIN AT ZELAS WINE SHOP IN HIGHGATE ON FRIDAY, 12 JUNE 2009 4-9 PM

Have the successes of English wines (with a record 24 medals awarded at the International Wine Contest) whetted your appetite suitably? Or perhaps it's the promise of a finevintage to come in the UK? There's definitely something in the air around UK wines this year, and celebrating their diversity and quality alongside events like English Wine Week is this unique guidebook entitled Grape Britain; A Tour of UK Vineyards, by David Harvey. 

Come and meet the author who will be signing copies of his beautiful book 'Grape Britain - A Tour of UK Vineyards', while at the same time sample some English Wines and browse the extensive selection of wines available to buy at Zelas.  

David's full colour book was based on a journey he made through many of the vineyards of England and Wales. Beautifully presented in modern style, the book marks the emergence of a distinctive and vibrant UK wine scene in style. It is not only a wine book, but an entertaining and unusual travelogue. David also helped with the research for Oz Clarke and James May's TV series Oz and James Drink to Britain shown on TV earlier this year.

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Notes to Editors

At the time of the Doomsday Book in the late 11th century, vineyards were recorded in 46 places in southern England, from East Anglia across to Somerset. By the time Henry VIII ascended the throne there were 139 sizeable vineyards in England and Wales. Adverse changes in the weather and the dissolution of the monasteries led to a gradual decline that has only recently been reversed.

Since the 1960s there has been a rapid increase in the number of UK vineyards with the total area under cultivation rising to more than 2,000 acres. Now a fully mature industry, it boasts unique wines and a wealth of exciting grape varieties. There are some 300 vineyards spread over the length and breadth of Britain and wine production is set to double in the near future in order to cope with the huge demand for its wines. This is in sharp contrast to the state of vineyards elsewhere in the world and is due to both improving weather conditions and to the improvements in winemaking ability and grape-growing in the UK over the past few years.

 This is the one essential book you will need to learn about this fascinating and, until now, largely ignored corner of the wine world.

Details of Signing and Further Information:  

The signing will take place between 4-9pm at Zelas, 216 Archway Road, London N6 5BB (nearest tube Highgate (Northern Line). RSVP not required, please feel free to just drop by.

 Sangeeta Laudus at The Little PR Company can be contacted if you require any further information.

 Email: sangeeta@littleprcompany.com

Telephone: 07984 486957

 About David Harvey:

 David Harvey writes on wine, music and history for various publications and now has his own small vineyard in the Peak District. He is currently engaged in writing a vineyard diary and getting his fingers dirty at Bothy Vineyard in Oxfordshire. He lives in London.

 About Zelas:

Zelas, located on Highgate's busy Archway Road, is a mecca for wine lovers, and offers one of the largest selections of natural wines in London. Plamen Georgiev, the extremely knowledgeable and genial owner of the shop, is more than happy to chat to his customers about the benefits of natural wines and there are often several bottles open for customers to sample.

An online ordering facility is available, as is delivery throughout the UK and mainland Europe. More information can be found on the website (www.zelas.co.uk).