Regent
Variety · Intermediate · 2 min read
Regent is a German red grape variety, an interspecific cross bred at the Federal Research Institute for Vine Breeding in Geilweilerhof in 1967 and released in 1995. The parentage is complex, with Vitis vinifera, Vitis rupestris and Vitis aestivalis in its background. Regent is prized in the UK for its deep colour, its reliable ripening in cool conditions, and its strong resistance to downy and powdery mildew.
Bred for the cool, damp north
Regent was developed specifically for the cool, damp viticultural regions of northern Europe, where Vitis vinifera struggles to ripen reliably and where disease pressure is high. The vine is vigorous but manageable, with a habit that suits vertical shoot positioning. The grapes ripen in late September or early October, producing a deeply coloured red with good tannin and acidity. The wines have notes of black cherry, blackberry, plum, spice and a touch of earth.
Regent is one of the most widely grown red varieties in the UK outside of Pinot Noir. It is particularly popular with organic and biodynamic producers, because its natural disease resistance reduces the need for sprays. Several of the UK's most committed organic vineyards, including Oxney Organic in East Sussex and Ancre Hill in Monmouthshire, have Regent in their range.
Making Regent in the UK
Regent is usually made in a similar style to Pinot Noir, with a cool fermentation on the skins for 7 to 14 days, regular punch-downs, and ageing in oak for 6 to 12 months. The variety has more tannin than Pinot Noir, so the oak ageing is particularly important to soften the structure. Some producers use a portion of new oak for additional complexity.
Malolactic conversion is essential to soften the high acidity of cool-climate reds, and the wine is usually bottled after a year in barrel. The best English Regent wines have a Burgundian-meets-Rhône character, with deep fruit, soft tannin and a savoury edge that works well with a wide range of food.
Where to find it
Regent is not widely distributed in the UK off-trade, because the volumes are still small. The best places to find it are the cellar doors of the producers who grow it, particularly Oxney Organic, Ancre Hill, Davenport and a handful of others. WineGB's producer directory lists every vineyard growing Regent in the UK, along with opening times and tasting notes.
Regent also makes a useful blending component, and several larger English producers include it in their still red cuvée, often alongside Pinot Noir and Rondo. The contribution is typically 10 to 30 percent of the blend, adding colour, structure and a touch of spice.