Some of these have beaten great French champagnes in blind tastings. The most-planted varieties of vine, mainly German in origin, have tended to produce wines which have both clear and distinct characteristics but also a broad style. This is by no means the same as when the same varieties are grown in, say, Germany. A combination which can be very agreeable indeed and is distinct from the style of any other wine producing country. In England and Wales this is undertaken by the Wine Standards Board of the Vintners Company and the UKVA work closely with the Board in its work.
Much English wine is made from hybrid vines.
Irrespective of the objective quality of the wine, wine from hybrid vines is ineligible for inclusion in the Quality Wine scheme.