English wine has spent the past two decades proving it can rival Champagne. Now, a handful of ambitious producers are asking a different question altogether: can England make a genuinely great red wine for everyday drinking? Under a railway arch in the heart of Birmingham, Midland Press believes it can.

Founded in 2024 by Richard Stenton, Midland Press is one of the more intriguing arrivals on the English wine scene. The winery operates from a temperature-stable railway arch in the city centre, an industrial setting that feels entirely in keeping with Birmingham's manufacturing heritage. Yet there is nothing heavy-handed about the wines. Stenton has built his reputation around light reds and textured whites, sourcing fruit from carefully selected vineyards across the Midlands and wider central England.

The bottle in question, priced at £26 online, feels designed for exactly the sort of occasion many wine lovers struggle to find a suitable English wine for: a summer barbecue.

We opened it over dinner at 670 Grams, the remarkable Digbeth restaurant where chef Kray Treadwell has made a virtue of championing Birmingham's creativity and character. In a city often overshadowed by London and Manchester in the culinary conversation, 670 Grams stands as a reminder that Birmingham is producing some of the country's most exciting food. The cooking is inventive without being showy, the service warm and confident. Frankly, it deserves a Michelin star.

As for the wine, the first impression is wonderfully inviting. Raspberry dominates the nose, bright and fresh, accompanied by a subtle note of mint that adds lift and complexity. There is a sense of summer hedgerows rather than cellar oak, which immediately sets the tone.

On the palate, the wine delivers exactly what the aroma promises. Summer fruits lead the charge, juicy and vibrant, before deeper bramble notes emerge. The texture is light and refreshing, yet there is enough structure to prevent it from feeling simplistic. Served slightly chilled, it feels perfectly judged for warm-weather drinking.

Most importantly, it performs brilliantly with food. The freshness cuts through rich barbecue flavours while the fruit profile complements grilled meats without overwhelming them. Burgers, sausages, lamb skewers or charred vegetables would all find a willing partner here.

England may not yet be synonymous with barbecue reds, but Midland Press makes a persuasive case. For £26, this is a thoughtful, distinctly modern English wine that wears its Midlands roots with pride and is one of the most enjoyable barbecue companions I've encountered this summer.

https://www.midlandpress.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/midlandpress/

Nathan Lane

Our wine enthusiast Nathan lives in Leeds and runs the PR and marketing company Campfire PR.
https://campfirepr.com/