Food and drink

UK wine industry

Trade

Although the UK is one of the smallest wine producers in the EU, we are the largest importer by value in the world.  The UK is often considered to be the hub of the international trade in wine and as a result has a thriving industry stretching from importers and bottlers through to freight forwarders and retailers.

The Wine and Spirits Trade Association (WSTA) was established in 1824 and is a very important trade association within this sector, representing all elements of the supply chain. www.wsta.co.uk

Some key facts about the UK trade are:

  • the UK’s historical connection with wine goes back to Roman times
  • there are 362 registered vineyards in the UK, comprising of 923 hectares
  • production in 2006 was just over 25,000 hectolitres, or about 3.3 million bottles
  • we produce four times more white wine than red
  • the main grape varieties grown in England and Wales are Reichensteiner, Bacchus, Pinot noir, Chardonnay, Müller Thurgau and Seyval blanc
  • Out of the top ten countries of origin for UK imports 6 are third countries i.e. outside the EU
  • Australia is the largest exporter to the UK, accounting for 2.5 million hl in 2004.  This is followed by France which accounts for 2.3 million hl and the USA which accounts for 1.5 million hl.
  • we are the largest importer of wine by value in the world. In 2004 we imported about 13.5 million hectolitres, the equivalent of 1.8 billion bottles
  • UK is the second largest importer by volume in the EU, following very closely behind Germany
  • the vast majority of imported wine is still light wine under 15% alcohol by volume (abv)


Production statistics

  • there are currently a total of 362 registered vineyards comprising of 923 hectares in England and Wales
  • total production for 2006 (the latest available) was just over 25,000 hectolitres, equivalent to approximately 3.3 million bottles. White wine accounts for the majority of our production (20,184 hectolitres)
  • english and welsh wines account for less than 1% of total wine sold in the UK


UK Quality Wine Scheme

In 1991 the UK introduced a Quality Wine Scheme to help market the best English and Welsh wines. Wines submitted to this scheme must meet strict criteria covering demarcation of production areas, vine varieties cultivation, winemaking methods and maximum yields. They must also be subjected to an analytical test assessing physical and chemical components of the wine, as well as an organoleptic test (or ‘tasting’).

Wines meeting these strict criteria can show the phrase on their label ‘English Vineyards Quality Wine psr’ or ‘Welsh Vineyards Quality Wine psr’ that is similar to the French Appellation Controllé quality system. PSR means Produced in Specified Regions.

UK Regional Wine Scheme

On 1 April 1997, the UK introduced a Regional Wine Scheme. These wines must also meet certain analytical and organoleptic criteria but the rules are less strict on use of vine varieties.

Wines meeting the criteria under this scheme can indicate on the label certain specified terms to show where the wine originated, for example ‘Kent Regional Wine’. These terms are laid down in the Notice to Growers, which is an annual guide for UK producers on the rules of both the UK Quality Wine Scheme and the UK Regional Wine Scheme. For further details see the Notice to growers web page.


Industry representatives

The United Kingdom Vineyards Association (UKVA) is the main producer association representing the majority of UK vineyards. English Wine Producers (EWP) is a voluntary group of leading English vineyards working in close association with the UKVA.

History of production

Wine has been made in England and Wales since Roman times. By the time of the Norman Conquest vines were grown in a number of vineyards, many of which were attached to monasteries. In fact the Domesday Book (1085-1086) records vineyards in 42 places. The main areas of production at this time were the coastal areas of the southeast, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire. From the Middle Ages to the 20th century there was a decline in vineyards and the reasons cited for this have varied. They range from the Black Death that caused the depletion of labour and lead to many landowners renting out land rather than working it themselves, the breaking up of the monasteries in 1536, change in climate and increased volume and quality of wine imports from France.

There were several post-war pioneers who looked to re-establish an English wine industry. In 1951 the first modern commercial vineyard was established at Hambledon in Hampshire, but it is only in the last 30 years that the industry has developed significantly.


Climate

Although the UK is situated on latitude that would normally make the growing of vines impossible, the warming influence the gulf-stream has on our climate makes conditions ideal for the production of many wines. The downside of our global position is that both spring frost and wet and windy weather during the flowering season can be a problem although this is compensated to some degree by a long growing season and mild autumns.

Where grapes are grown

Grapes are grown primarily in Southern England and Wales but not in Scotland or Northern Ireland. In some parts of Southern England the subsoil is chalk or limestone and has the same geology as Champagne in France.

Vine varieties

The main grape varieties planted in the UK are Reichensteiner, Bacchus, Pinot noir, Chardonnay, Müller Thurgau and Seyval blanc. In 2004 there was an increase in the red grape varieties Triomphe, Dornfelder, Rondo and Pinot noir (although the latter is most probably due to sparkling wine production – which accounts for approximately 15% of overall production).

British Wine

It is important to note the distinction between English and Welsh wine and British wine. English and Welsh wine is produced from fresh grapes grown in the UK, whereas British wine is a form of ‘made wine’ which can be manufactured in the UK and Ireland from imported grapes, grape juice, grape must or a combination of these with fruit or fruit juices etc.

Although ‘made wine’ products can be called ‘wine’ they must be prefixed with a term such as British, mead, fruit, tonic etc. These products are not governed by the EU Wine Regime.

 

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Page last modified: 7 June 2007

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs