UK rule changes will help UK growers

The UK government's proposed bonfire of EU rules which was scaled back to a BBQ of EU rules, will now go ahead with the scrapping of EU wine rules. The government claim the changes could be worth £180 million according to environment secretary Thérèse Coffey, although what is included in the legislation is still to be decided.

They propose to change EU rules inherited after Brexit to allow the following:

- No and low-alcohol wines will be allowed to be made in the UK

- Removing the need for the name of the importer to be on a wine bottle.

- Piquette based products. (low quality wine like products based by watering down pressed grape skins)

- Any bottle of wine could feature a variety and vintage without the supplier having to apply for a permit to do so.

- Remove the requirement for sparkling wines to have foil caps and mushroom stoppers.

- Importers will be able to blend bulk wine in the UK