The 1st January 2021 marked the return of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the OIV (International Organisation of Vine and Wine), making it the 48th Member Country integrated by the Organisation. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was an active member of the former OIV from 1973 to 2004, and, as signatory of the Agreement of 3rd April 2001, finalised recently the necessary steps to ratify this Agreement and join the new OIV.

UK is one of the largest wine markets in the world. In 2019, ranking 10th in the world, UK recorded about 13 mhl of wine consumption, of which wine imports comprised a share of more than 95%. In fact, the UK is a historical international trade platform and in 2019 it was the 2nd importer in the world in terms of both volume (13.5 mhl) and value (4 bn EUR). In recent years, the English hills have been covered with vines. The production of wine is still relatively small (about 150 khl) but the growth experienced over the last years has been exponential, especially for what concerns the production of sparkling wines (about 120 khl), benefiting from an increasing in warm temperatures and a chalky terroir.

By becoming a member of the OIV , the UK will benefit from the information, cooperation and services of a network of around 1000 experts. These contributions from the viti-vinicultural sector and the scientific community are all the more important in the current Brexit context. These links enable the UK to take part in the fundamental decisions concerning the evolution of the sector and to raise its voice by becoming one of the 48th decision makers in such an important area. The cooperation of Member states within the OIV is a key factor for better communication, more effective legislation and therefore more transparent and fruitful trade in the viti-vinicultural sector.

Sources : OIV