Ideal wine company looks at the Exciting times that lie ahead for the UK wine industry as the government unveils plans for a £180 million boost
The UK Government’s plans to remove EU ‘red tape’ legislation pertaining to the production and marketing of wine is expected to provide a whopping £180 million boost to the country’s wine industry. The cash inflow, according to the government, would be created by the freedom that businesses will now have, following the UK’s departure from EU regulations, to tap into opportunities for growth and innovation.
What does this mean for the wine industry?
Multiple reforms have been proposed, by which winemakers, importers, bottlers, and sellers stand to benefit, as do end consumers. The ultimate aim is to introduce greater flexibility and freedom in the domestic wine industry, which has been growing exponentially in recent years with more people buying wine and brands like Chapel Down and Gusbourne churning out collectors guide editions.
Labelling changes
The labelling changes remove a requirement for imported wines to have an importer label rather than a Food Business Operator label. They will also make it possible for a common bottle back label to be used across both EU and UK markets. These changes will help reduce costs as well as maintain UK’s status as an attractive market.
Variety of vines
The economic boost will enable businesses that produce wine with a Protected Designation of Origin to handpick from a wide variety of vines. Producers will have access to hybrid grape varieties and more disease-resistant vines and the freedom to use the ones that work best for them.
Blending of wines
The proposed reforms will allow imported wine to be blended in the UK. Producers will also be allowed to create sparkling wine from imported wine. These changes will enable the rollout of new product lines, which will expand the market and boost the economy.
More product choices
Winemakers will have the option to produce and sell piquette from the by-products of wine production. They can also create and market low-alcohol and zero-alcohol wines. Imported wine can be carbonated, sweetened, or de-alcoholised as well. The end products will need to show the origin of the constituent grapes as their provenance, instead of being termed ‘British Made Wine’.
Other reforms include the removal of the requirement of foil caps and mushroom stoppers for sparkling wines marketed in the UK and a less bureaucratic wine certification scheme.
We envisage additional areas where the investment can have a positive impact and drive progress, such as research and development, education and training opportunities, vineyard expansion and infrastructure, and wine tourism.
Research and Development
A capital injection can enable viticulturists and winemakers to explore new grape varieties, improve vineyard management practices, experiment with innovative techniques, and enhance sustainability measures.
Export Opportunities
With the flexibility afforded by post-Brexit regulations, winemakers can forge new trade agreements and expand their reach to international markets with funding to support promotional campaigns and market research initiatives.
Vineyard Expansion and Infrastructure
Investments can facilitate the creation of new vineyards and the expansion of existing ones. It can aid in the establishment of modern winemaking and storage facilities, creating production capabilities for fine wine and luxury drinks, and building visitor centres for wine tourism.
The proposed £180 million boost marks an exciting turning point for the UK wine industry. We believe that a good wine merchant offers a good quality product at a fair price, and they will now be able to do so without unnecessary restrictions or red tape – be it a grocery store wine or a special occasion luxury wine.
