UK government launches consultation on reforming wine regulations

The UK Government recently launched its consultation seeking views on plans to reform a number of elements of retained EU law related to wine.  

The consultation includes proposals to: replace wine specific labelling provisions for importers with general food labelling provisions requiring the identification of a Food Business Operator; easing restrictions on the treatment of imported bulk wine including permitting blending, sweetening, and de-alcoholisation; removing the obligation for sparkling wines to use foils and mushroom stoppers; removing certification requirements for non PDO/PGI wines that carry vintage or varietal information on labels; lowering to 4.5% abv the minimum abv for wine; permitting vitis vinifera hybrids to be used in wine making; and removing restrictions on the use of certain bottle shapes (not volumes). 

The deadline for responses to the consultation will be 11:59pm (UK) on 21 July 2023.