Wine trade

Wine is an alcoholic drink produced exclusively from the fermentation of fresh grapes, including sparkling and fortified wines (traded on commodity code 2204).

Legal definition of wine

Wine is legally defined, and can be labelled as such, if it meets the following standards:

• it is derived exclusively from the total or partial alcoholic fermentation of whole or crushed fresh grapes or grape must
• it has an actual alcoholic strength of not less than 8.5-9 per cent volume
• it has a total alcoholic strength of not more than 15 per cent volume
• it has a total acidity content of not less than 3.5 grams per litre of tartaric acid
• it complies with certain restrictions on how it is made

Exempt wine products

Products such as 'British wine' or blackberry wine are not considered wine, and are only permitted to include the word "wine" as part of a composite description.  British wine is a drink made from grape juice or concentrate that could be from anywhere in the world. English and Welsh wine from fresh grapes from local vineyards can legally be labelled as wine. Trading Standards can advise you on the labelling of fruit wines.