Off the wire
• Martin Silva signs contract extension with Vasco da Gama  • Czech Republic identifies third Zika case  • Over 2,000 children killed, injured in conflict of Yemen, UN relief warns  • Jefferson left out of Brazil squad after irritating Dunga  • EC approves Cyprus' exit from its bailout program  • World food prices hold steady despite rise in food oil prices: FAO  • Urgent: U.S. dollar declines on downbeat data  • Nigeria to split state-run oil firm: minister  • News analysis: Continued robust growth in Britain's economy may be over  • 1st LD Writethru: Gold up on weaker U.S. equities  
You are here: 　 Home

British wine producers take on French vineyards in export drive

Xinhua, March 4, 2016 Adjust font size:

The first ever roundtable meeting of British wine producers Thursday pledged to give the vineyards of neighboring France a run for their money.

The winemakers of Britain are targeting a 10-fold increase in wine exports by 2020.

It would take export sales to over 42 million U.S. dollars a year, said government environment secretary Elizabeth Truss. That compares to the current 4.5 million U.S. dollars earned for the British economy from home grown wine.

Truss hosted the roundtable which brought together producers and leading wine industry representatives to discuss boosting future production and open up new export markets.

They set a target to increase production from five million bottles a year to up to 10 million bottles by 2020.

A spokesman for Defra, the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs said: "The government has pledged to help producers identify an additional 75,000 acres across the country suitable for sparkling wine production by making available new data on soil types, water resources, and infrastructure networks to ensure the future sustainability of the industry."

Truss said: "There has never been a more exciting time for the English wine industry. Production has doubled in the last five years, with sales reaching a record breaking 100 million pounds (141.89 million U.S.dollars) in 2015. By using cutting-edge technology, our hard-working grape growers are now producing some of the best wine in the world."

"I have no doubt we can take on the Australians, French and Italians at their own game, exporting more of our top quality fizz across the globe and ensuring that the UK's wine industry continues to be a world-leader."

Truss added the English and Welsh wine industry is going from strength to strength, with the area of land under vine doubling over the last ten years.

Defra said it builds on Britain's position as leading vintner in the world as wine merchants brought innovative new brands and unique flavours to market.

"Demand for English bubbles now reaches all corners of the globe. From China to Hong Kong, the USA to India, leading brands such as Ridgeview, Chapel Down and Bolney wine are now rivalling the very best French champagne," said the Defra spokesman.

Currently there are around 500 vineyards in England and Wales. Endit