THE LABELLING OF ENGLISH AND WELSH WINES
The Quality and Regional Wine Schemes
The Quality Wine Scheme was established in 1992 to create a category of English and Welsh wines, equivalent to the Appellation Controlée in France, as well as a Regional Wine Scheme. Previously all still wines produced in the UK were classified in the Table Wine category. A Quality Wine Committee is now in place, comprising members of the industry, represented by the UK Vineyards Association and National Farmers Union as well as expert advisors and enforcement authorities – DEFRA and the Wine Standards Board.
DEFRA has since held regular meetings of the Committee to review the administration of the Scheme and discuss changes.
Since 2004 the regulations have been revised on a Europe-wide remit to amend the labelling laws. These were implemented at the end of February 2004.
Under these new regulations, the following labelling has now been introduced:
English (or Welsh) Vineyards Quality Wine psr (produced in a specific region)
English (or Welsh) Regional Wine
UK Table Wine
Differing Parameters for Table / Regional / Quality Wines.
These notes should be read in context with Schedule 1 of the UK’s Common Agricultural Policy (Wine) Regulation, and DEFRA’s Notice to Growers dated 11 th March 2004.
Differing Parameters |
Table Wine |
Regional Wine |
Quality Wine |
Area |
U.K |
Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, East Anglia, England, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Herefordshire, Isle of Wight, Isles of Scilly, Kent, Lincolnshire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Shropshire, Surrey, Sussex, Wales, Worcestershire, Yorkshire |
England, Wales .
|
Height |
Any |
Below 250 metres above sea level |
Below 220 metres above sea level |
Varieties |
Categories 1 – 4 |
Categories 1 – 3 |
Categories 1 – 3 (Excluding Hybrids) |
Yield |
No limit |
May not exceed 100hl/ha |
May not exceed 80hl/ha |
Origin of Grapes |
U.K. |
85% from the stated region. |
100% from stated England or Wales . |
Min. Nat. Alc. |
5% |
6% |
6% |
Min. Acid |
3.5 g/l |
4 g/l |
4 g/l |
Analytical assessment |
None required |
Official analysis or Producer Analysis Certificate. 10% of the wines with a Producer Analysis Certificate will be analysed by the approved laboratory, to confirm that the wine conforms with the producer analysis form. |
Official analysis required from the approved laboratory with entry |
Organoleptical assessment
|
None required |
Colour & Clarity – 2 points out of 3.
Nose – 2 points out of 4.
Taste: Points To Pass
Fine 10 – 13
Balanced 8 – 9
Acceptable 6 – 7 6
Imperfect 0 – 5
Wines may be given Regional Wine status if they win Gold, Silver, Bronze or Highly Commended Awards in the National or Regional Competitions.
|
Colour & Clarity – 2 points out of 3.
Nose – 2 points out of 4.
Taste: Points To Pass
Fine 10 – 13
Balanced 8 – 9 8
Acceptable 6 – 7
Imperfect 0 – 5
If a wine fails Quality Wine status on taste, it can automatically be awarded Regional Wine status if it gains 6 – 7 marks (Acceptable), and if the wine is within the analytical parameters required for Regional Wine. |
Note
The organoleptical marking system is in context with the English & Welsh Wine of the Year Competition, which is in line with international competitions. Number of points required out of 20 points to gain: Regional Wine pass – 10, Quality Wine pass – 12, Highly Commended – 13, Bronze Award – 14, Silver Award – 15.5, Gold Award – 17. |
