Wine Champion Anthea Leads “Cheers” for British Fizz

Friday, January 20th, 2017

Anthea McIntyre MEP

Conservative MEP Anthea McIntyre is backing a bid to have “British Fizz” made a protected name under EU rules.

The United Kingdom Vineyard Association is applying for protected geographical indication (PGI) status for the term.  It would mean that only winemakers growing grapes in the UK and making sparkling wine using the traditional bottle-fermentation method would be able to use the description British Fizz on their labels.

The application also covers similar potential names including BritFizz, GB Fizz and British Bubbly.  British winemakers, despite winning plaudits around the world, have struggled to find a recognised name for their sparkling wines.

Now a New York bar owner has coined the name British Fizz for the sparkling wine he sells – and the term has won the thumbs up from English producers.

Miss McIntyre, MEP for the West Midlands, is herself partner in a small Herefordshire vineyard and has been named a champion of English and Welsh wine.

She said, “I am delighted we are going for PGI status for these wonderful wines.  Our producers have shown we are as good and better than the Proseccos and Cavas of this world and even many Champagnes.

“Our bubbly deserves just the same respect, recognition and protection from inferior imitations.  English and Welsh wine is fast gaining a global reputation and British Fizz is among the best in the world.”