UK wine in need of high profile sponsor

A high-profile sponsor is needed to help English wine continue to grow its reputation, according to Mike Roberts, chairman of English Wine Producers and director of the West Sussex winery Ridgeview Wine Estate.

He told Harpers Wine & Spirit that producers feel frustrated they are unable to capitalise fully in a time of growth - as the industry receives no government funding, unlike other European wine -producing countries.

His comment comes on the back of the UK Vineyards Association English & Welsh Wine of the Year Competition 2010, which saw a record number of entries and medals awarded including 26 gold, 65 silver and 92 bronze.

Roberts, who won the Gore-Browne Trophy Wine of the Year
for the second year running, said: "The industry is getting wonderful comments about its wines, especially sparkling, but
we can't capitalise on that as we don't have the funds.

"We need a high-profile sponsor to step in and help us
promote our wines around the world, as we're in a time ripe for
expansion and will be looking to export in the future. Now we're
seeing the trade approaching us, that's something the industry
would not have envisaged 10 years ago . In another 10 years
hopefully people will be beating down the door."

Winemaker Andrew Parley, who came to the 2010 award -
winning winery Chapel Down from New Zealand last year, said:
" The UK is where New Zealand was 30 years ago and that is on a
drive for quality. There's a great deal of confidence and optimism
for the future."

Winemaker of the Year , Sam Lindo from Camel Valley, made a business plan 10 years ago predicting people from Champagne would be coming over to try and buy its wines.

"That's now beginning to happen," he said.

• Sommeliers