The warm weather could mean the best ever year for wine producers

Managers at the Three Choirs Vineyard at Newent in Gloucestershire - the second largest wine producer in England - are confidently predicting next year's vintage will be the best ever.

The reason, they say, is not solely the ongoing hot spell but also because the weather throughout the year has been near perfect.

Tests to determine acidity and sugar content have given the best ever indication of what to expect.

POTTED HISTORY OF ENGLISH AND WELSH WINE The Romans brought the vine and wine to Britain Many vineyards in Middle Ages, but decline set in later Renaissance after World War 2 Now nearly 400 vineyards in England and Wales English or Welsh wine is labelled just that. 'British wine' is made from imported grape juice concentrate Source: English-wine.com

Thomas Shaw of the vineyard said: "No frost in the spring, rainfall when we want it, nice warm weather, gentle breezes and here we are with a magnificent crop of grapes and potentially very good quality.

"Now we are looking for this good weather to continue.

"We don't mind a bit of rain but we hope for a nice warm September to go with it."