The new Campden BRI facility is looking to encourage innovation within the UK wine industry, which has seen sustainable growth.
WineGB data shows that English and Welsh wine has witnessed a consistent upwards curve since 2018; last year, observing a 10% rise (reaching 8.8m bottles).
The combined revenue for at home and out-of-home wine is estimated to be £19.2bn, with volume expected to amount to 1,059.0m L in 2024, according to Statista.
The steady growth of GB’s wine sector is exhibited in the diversification of wine plantings, with 51 grape varieties planted last year. The UK is now home to more 90 grape varieties.
The UK continues to be a champion of sparkling wine, with 76% of wine produced made into this style of tipple. Still wine followed at 23%, with 1% equating to other products like Vermouth.
“The domestic UK wine industry has experienced steady growth and now requires top-quality technical support and consultancy to remain competitive globally. According to data from WineGB, the 2023 grape harvest exceeded the 2018 record by 68%, with enough grapes to produce 22 million bottles of wine,” said Peter Headridge, CEO of Campden BRI.
The opening of the wine services laboratory and testing centre also marks Campden BRI’s new partnership with the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI).
“Our partnership with AWRI and investments in this facility will be transformative for the UK industry and will future-proof our technical services and capabilities, demonstrating a strong vote of confidence in the domestic wine sector. We are committed to providing the industry with the advanced tools and expertise it needs to thrive in both local and international markets,” added Headridge.
In other, related news, Food Manufacture has rounded up five major investment moves made this September in F&B.
