Thursday, 11 February. 2010

 

British Industry has gone through tough times over the last few years ... yet success is emerging from a relatively unusual quarter of British production.  The UK wine industry is growing rapidly - bringing diversification of land use, local employment and revenue from wine sales and tourism to rural areas.

 

It is, therefore, good news for the UK Wine Production industry that an ambitious training project, Wineskills, was launched on Friday 5 February, supported by the European Union and DEFRA funds.  Jim Fitzpatrick MP, (pictured) Minister for Food, Farming & Environment, says he "is proud to serve English and Welsh wines at all his events" as he unveiled the Wineskills plaque, to be displayed outside the Wine Centre at Plumpton College in East Sussex.

 

To provide the UK grapegrowers and winemakers with the expertise and guidance needed to ensure the sustainable growth of the industry, Wineskills will be offering practical workshops, monthly masterclasses and an industry mentoring scheme from worldwide wine experts:

 

• Peter Hayes - international viticultural consultant from Australia
• David Cowderoy - the flying winemaker
• Jean-Manuel Jacquinot - from Champagne Jacquinot
• Michael Paul - former MD of Western Wines

 

The Chair of the UK Vineyards Association, Ian Edwards, proposed a toast to Wineskills with award-winning wines from Camel Valley (Cornwall), Nyetimber (West Sussex) and Ridgeview Estate (Sussex Downs).