Premium for bubbles decreases

Today’s Budget speech reduces the premium we all pay for having bubbles in our wine, with a welcome freeze on duty for sparkling wine at about £1.65 per bottle. 

Perhaps more important was the fact that our domestic wine industry was recognised by Gordon Brown, with a mention in his Budget of “British sparkling wine” (The actual quote is: "In anticipation of world cup success this summer, I am freezing duty on champagne ... and on British sparkling wine.").

Unfortunately, his comment raises a perpetual concern to producers of quality English and Welsh wines.  British Wine is simply not British.  The name is permitted in law, an anachronistic derogation permitted by the EU, but applies to a product made from imported, concentrated grape must.  Producers of English and Welsh wine have argued for years that this causes confusion and, alas, the Chancellor is the most recent person to fall into the trap.

Of course, the comment was clearly intended to relate to English Sparkling Wines, many of which rival the best in the world.  Next Budget we would like to see a cut in sparkling wine duty, a cut in still wine duty and to see the ignominious term “British Wine” cut from legislation.

Robert Beardsmore

General Secretary

United Kingdom Vineyards Association

Representative Industry Body

Tel:  01223 813812

Email:  Info@ukva.org.uk

Note:

The United Kingdom Vineyards Association represents the vast majority of English and Welsh wine producers.  English and Welsh wines are made from fresh grapes produced in England and Wales.  Legally we must call our wines English or Welsh and not British.  The compound name “British Wine” applies to made wine, usually produced from imported, concentrated grape must, which is then fermented in the UK.