WineGB’s flagship event for the trade and press will take place in London at the Battersea Arts Centre on 4 September from 11am-5:30pm.

This year’s Trade and Press Tasting will feature wines from across the UK, with an exclusive pop-up to showcase the work of the Sustainable Wines of Great Britain (SWGB) Scheme. There will be a masterclass featuring SWGB-accredited wines; themed tasting tables highlighting the WineGB Awards trophy winners, wine styles and varieties; and a dedicated area within the Grand Hall for the Regional Associations.

Founded in 2020, the Sustainable Wines of Great Britain Scheme now has 78 members of which 23 are fully certified (both vineyard and winery). Over 10% of our audited members are Gold Certified, indicating that they have been certified for over three years, showcasing their long-term commitment to sustainability.

The event will begin with a press briefing at 9:30am on insights and new trade data with exclusive media access to the Grand Hall, before opening up to the wider trade from 11am.

Themed Tasting Tables

This year’s themed tasting tables will have a dedicated space and will feature wines grouped into the following categories:

WineGB Awards Trophy Winners

The cream of the crop from this year’s WineGB Awards, which saw a record number of entrants and Gold medals given. This year, trophies went to wines produced in 13 different counties, so buckle up for a vinous tour of the UK.

Lower Alcohol Wines: 12.5% ABV and below

Many of the wines produced in England and Wales have naturally lower levels of alcohol. As consumers increasingly yearn for fresher styles of wine without the punch, try some of the best examples that are 12.5% ABV and below.

New Classics?

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Bacchus and Seyval Blanc may be our most planted varieties, but there’s many more to explore. The UK is home to over 90 different varieties, with 51 varieties planted in the last year alone. We now have 30 hectares of Sauvignon Blanc and growing volumes of Albariño and Gamay, while hybrids now account for 8% of total plantings. From the other Pinots and our heritage varieties to new PIWI grapes and global giants, as our industry evolves, will any of them become new classics?

New Releases

Want to know what’s new in English and Welsh wine? Here you’ll find this year’s latest launches, including first releases from up-and-coming vineyards to the latest developments from well-known producers. Taste the trends fresh off the press.

Sustainable Wines

Explore our sustainable stars from producers going the extra mile to demonstrate their environmental credentials. Taste through a selection of Sustainable Wines of Great Britain (SWGB) certified wines.

Nicola Bates, CEO of WineGB, the trade association for English and Welsh wine, comments: “I am delighted to welcome members of the trade and press to our flagship Trade and Press Tasting on 4 September. With our industry growing fast and vineyard numbers surpassing the 1,000 milestone, this event is the perfect opportunity to sample the award-winning, diverse, and innovative wines available in the UK.”

This event is open to bona fide members of the trade and press only. To register to attend, please click here.

Ends

For more information, please email tradetasting@winegb.co.uk

Notes to editors:

Wines of Great Britain (WineGB) represents, leads, and supports the sustainable growth of the Great British wine sector. It is the national association for the English and Welsh wine industry. Its mission is to advance the interests of our 450+ producer members who represent the vast majority of the UK’s productive hectarage, and establish Great Britain as one of the world’s great quality and most sustainable wine regions.   

Completed registrations for the Trade and Press Tasting will be reviewed by the organisers. If you are not a bona fide trade or press visitor, WineGB reserves the right to cancel your registration. Email notification will be sent if your ticket is cancelled. Further details on the press briefing will be released in due course.