On April 16, 2024, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) website announced that the United Kingdom is seeking comments on the third phase of wine regulatory reforms, which include:

(1) Proposed allowance for carbonation of imported bulk wines limited to carbon dioxide bubbling and secondary fermentation in tanks (Charmat method);

(2) A proposed allowance for sweetening or other adjustments to imported wines, such as correcting faults that occur during transportation;

(3) Proposed to allow the use of imported grapes or grape juice from any source for the production of wine in England;

(4) Plans to stop the use of the word “English” in conjunction with “wine” for products that are not part of the wine industry but are made from imported grape juice or grapes;

(5) The proposed introduction of provisions to allow the marketing of non-alcoholic and low-alcohol wine products and to adjust the minimum alcohol content of naturally occurring wines to 4.5% abv;

(6) Counts towards the creation and maintenance of an electronic register of recognized processes and procedures for the production of wine on GOV.UK;

(7) The feedback period for this consultation is open until May 10, 2024.