'Pint’ size wine stocked on Britain’s shelves for the first time ever thanks to new freedoms from leaving the European Union

• Pint’ size wine stocked on Britain’s shelves for the first time ever thanks to new freedoms from leaving the European Union
• Still and sparkling wine to be sold in 200ml, 500ml and 568ml ‘pint’ sizes in 2024
• 900 British vineyards set to benefit across the country from new freedoms

Brits will soon be able to purchase ‘pint’ sized bottles of still and sparkling wine, as a new 568ml size is introduced to Britain’s supermarket shelves, pubs, clubs and restaurants, the Department for Business and Trade has announced today (27th December). The move to introduce the 568ml size would sit alongside the 200ml and 500ml measures already available, offering more flexibility and choice for customers.

The UK’s wine sector is set for the boost as part of the Government’s smarter regulation programme to ensure regulations are up to date and agile,. The move comes following engagement with the industry, with businesses now being able to sell prepacked still and sparkling wine in 500ml and 200ml sizes as well as a new 568ml ‘pint’ quantity.

900 vineyards are set to benefit from the new freedoms, boosting production and supporting British businesses, which currently produce around 12.2 million bottles of still or sparkling wine a year*.

These optional reforms from Government are thanks to our new Brexit freedoms via the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 and are wholeheartedly backed by industry wanting to reduce burdensome regulations. The changes will help to boost innovation, increase business freedoms and improve choice for consumers.

Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business Kevin Hollinrake said:
Innovation, freedom and choice – that’s what today’s announcement gives to producers and consumers alike.

Our exit from the EU was all about moments just like this, where we can seize new opportunities and provide a real boost to our great British wineries and further growing the economy.

Nicola Bates, CEO of WineGB said:

We welcome the chance to be able to harmonise still and sparkling bottle sizes and we are happy to raise a glass to the greater choice that allows UK producers for domestic sales.

The Windsor Framework also means that newly packaged wine will be able to be sold by bars, restaurants and retailers in Northern Ireland – with products able to move in what is known as the retail “Green Lane”, under the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme.

In addition to announcing the deregulatory measure on wine, the Government has published a response to the consultation Choice on units of measurement: markings and sales. Following the extensive consultation, the Government has decided not to introduce any new legislation in this area. But new guidance has been issued to promote awareness and use of imperial measurements.

The Government will continue to keep this legislative framework under consideration, as part of a wider review of metrology EU derived legislation.

Was this written by Rees-Mogg?

So we've all lost our right to live/retire across Europe, for the sake of a stupid little bottle of booze - duh!

In its way this is testament to the utter failure of Brexit.

To have suffered the economic and political loss we have so we can put wine in pint bottles ( which I very much doubt the EU would have prevented anyway) is absurd.

Presumably if true the EU never found that out that millions of PINTS of beer are dispensed very day in the UK?

Especially when there is overwhelming evidence that people are not interested in using imperial measures.

Plus the irony that the bottles are imported from France..

Originally Posted by The PNP

So we've all lost our right to live/retire across Europe, for the sake of a stupid little bottle of booze - duh!

You are even more stupid than I give you credit.

Originally Posted by Stuartli

You are even more stupid than I give you credit.

Stupid? Maybe...but unlike some I could mention, still smart enough not to waste my money and health, on guzzling bottle after useless bottle of mind-numbing booze...give it up, mate!

Originally Posted by bensherman

Especially when there is overwhelming evidence that people are not interested in using imperial measures.

And yet,

Gold is measured in ounces
Road signs are still in MPH, not KM
Go into a pub and you ask for a pint, not 568 Milliliters
Ask someone their height, and chances are they'll say 5 foot 10, or 6 foot, not 200 Centimeters or 2 meters.
How far is it to Preston, approx 20 miles, not 32 Kilometers
Tyre pressure - PSI
Car leaflets state MPG
Bike sizes, I'll have that 20" frame please, not 60cm, or 29" wheel, not 736mm ..

Etc etc....

Weights and Measures Law UK Guide

Anyone selling goods and services must be using metric measurements (e.g. grams, kilograms, millilitres, litres).

The units of measurement law applies to the sale of almost all packaged or loose goods. The products you can still sell in imperial measures are:

Draught beer or cider (by the pint)
Milk when sold in returnable containers (by the pint)
Precious metals (sold by troy ounce)


Turns out pint bottles of champagne were sold in the UK before Britain joined the European Common Market, and remained on shelves until 1973. However, their production ceased because they did not comply with EU weight and measure rules....

Originally Posted by The PNP

So we've all lost our right to live/retire across Europe, for the sake of a stupid little bottle of booze - duh!

Oh, pnp. You really are without education. I just can't get to grips
with so many crass comments you actually make. Please give
it a rest and take a 20 year holiday. Cheers

Originally Posted by ausard2

Oh, pnp. You really are without education. I just can't get to grips
with so many crass comments you actually make. Please give
it a rest and take a 20 year holiday. Cheers

Probably could, on the money I've save since giving over with drink....Work it out for yourself: £5 a night saved daily for the last forty years. Must be topside of £70k, enough for a nice little holiday home somewhere a bit warmer!

Originally Posted by The PNP

Stupid? Maybe...but unlike some I could mention, still smart enough not to waste my money and health, on guzzling bottle after useless bottle of mind-numbing booze...give it up, mate!

I ardently avoid non drinkers - they're invariably miserable gits!