Top 10 Grapes for Outdoors in the UK

We tend to think of grapes as needing a warm climate, but they have been cultivated in the UK for hundreds of years. Thought to have been introduced by the Romans in about 43BC, vineyards were planted as far north as York and Durham. There are references to 42 vineyards in the Doomsday Book and Henry VIII had over 130 vineyards. The climate has changed many times over the years since and closer relations with France meant importing was easier than growing, but now the situation is reversing and the French are moving to southern England.

Grape vines have attractive foliage, take up little space when grown against a wall or fence and yield a tasty crop. They prefer a warm site with shelter from cold winds to produce the best crop and care must be taken to avoid damage by birds and insects, especially as the crop ripens. All are forms of Vitis vinifera. Note that the flavour of grapes is more intense after a hot summer, as the sugar content tends to increase, but it is important to keep them watered. The warmer the position of the plant, the better the crop is likely to be.

Black grapes

'Boskoop Glory'

A popular old variety that will crop reliably almost anywhere in the UK. Produces large bunches of blue-black dessert/wine grapes. Very good for northern gardens. Good autumn colour.

'Muscat Bleu'

A fairly new black dessert grape that is proving reliable and tasty. For an outdoor black-fruited variety, it produces very large berries with a rich, sweet muscat flavour.

'Regent'

A modern dessert/wine grape that produces very large blue-black berries with a sweet, refreshing flavour. The leaves turn attractive red in autumn. Shows good resistance to mildew.

Green (white) grapes

'Lakemont'

A seedless dessert grape that produces large bunches of golden fruits with a sweet muscat flavour. Needs a warm wall in the south, but prefers to be grown in a cold greenhouse in more northern areas. Good resistance to mildew.

'Perlette'

A new white seedless dessert variety, producing large bunches of golden-green, crunchy grapes. It will ripen outdoors in the south, but is better in a cold greenhouse in less favourable areas. Vigorous and heavy-cropping.

'Phoenix'

A modern white dessert/wine grape that bears large yellow berries with a fine muscat flavour. Resistant to mildew and an excellent choice for organic growers. Produces lots of smaller bunches of fruit, ideal for home consumption.

'Polo Muscat' (Poloske Muscat')

This modern white dessert/wine grape has yellow-green fruit with a sweet, light muscat flavour. Mildew resistant.

Amber grapes

'Fragola' (Strawberry grape)

A distinct dessert grape with amber-red fruit that have a delicious rich flavour with a definite hint of strawberry.

Red grapes

'Crimson Seedless'

This sweet dessert/wine grape originated in California, but grows well in most UK areas. It produces pinkish-red berries that store well. It ripens early, in late summer-early autumn.

'Suffolk Red'

This grape originated from the USA and produces large bunches of red, seedless berries with a soft skin. These will ripen outdoors in the south, but need a cold greenhouse in less favourable areas.