The UK government has announced that pint-sized bottles of wine will be available on shelves in the country starting from autumn, in accordance with new post-Brexit trade rules. However, doubts have been raised regarding the demand for these smaller wine bottles.
Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake revealed that seven changes to pre-packaged wine sizes will be implemented on 19 September, during a session in the House of Commons. He stated that this measure will support the thriving UK wine sector by providing opportunities for innovation and greater choice.
However, SNP’s Patrick Grady expressed skepticism towards the government’s decision, stating that there is little to no demand or interest for this supposed benefit of Brexit. The introduction of the 568ml size of wine, to join the already available 200ml and 500ml measures, was initially announced in December and hailed as a “freedom” resulting from Brexit.
It is worth noting that pint bottles of Champagne were previously sold in the UK before its membership in the European Common Market and were available on shelves until 1973. However, their production ceased as they did not comply with EU weights and measures regulations.
In response to Grady’s remarks, Hollinrake clarified that the 568ml quantity is one of seven changes in pre-packed wine sizes that are expected to come into force on 19 September 2024, supporting the UK wine sector by providing opportunities for innovation and greater choice.
Grady, however, argued that this statement is not as definitive as the government press release from December, which claimed that pints of wine will be stocked on shelves in the UK for the first time ever. He stated, “Not will be stocked, not might be stocked, not could be stocked, not to be stocked – it implied that pints of wine were and are available to buy right now in shops across the UK.”
Responding to Grady’s comments, Hollinrake humorously remarked, “It’s never difficult to distinguish the right honourable gentleman from a ray of sunshine, is it?” He added, “Our new post-Brexit powers provide new options, including new legislation which aligns existing sizes across still and sparkling pre-packed wine so that both can be sold in 200ml and 500ml quantities, which we know there is good demand for.”
The change in pre-packaged wine sizes comes amid concerns over the costly new post-Brexit border checks for food and animal products, which have raised alarms about increased prices and empty shelves. The MP for Glasgow North, Grady, stated that “the Brexit dream of people quaffing pints of wine and invoking the spirit of Churchill was always a fantasy” and the “reality is a Brexit nightmare of border checks, of reduced consumer choice, and of business closures.”
Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch defended the decision, stating that it will increase consumer choice, and added, “If he doesn’t like it, he doesn’t have to buy it.”
It is important to note that businesses are not obligated to sell the new sizes. At the time of the initial announcement, WineGB chief executive Nicola Bates welcomed the chance to harmonize still and sparkling bottle sizes and expressed happiness at the increased choice. However, some within the industry, such as Liberty Wines founder David Gleave MW, expressed skepticism towards the decision, stating, “Sheer idiocy. It makes no sense from a quality point of view. And in decades of selling wine, I’ve never been asked for a pint-sized bottle.”
This change follows the cancellation of a wider post-Brexit overhaul of the UK’s measurement system. A government consultation in the previous year showed that 98.7% of people were in favor of keeping metric units, leading to Chancellor Rishi Sunak abandoning Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s signature Brexit “dividend” of allowing British shops to sell products in pounds and ounces once again.
