Nusrat Ghani, MP for Wealden, has welcomed the announcement that Sussex Wine will be designated as a UK Geographical Indication (GI).
GI status provides a guarantee to consumers that the product they are buying is the real thing and prevents imitation products. The recognition means Sussex wine joins the family of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) registered products from across the UK and beyond, and will help Sussex PDO wine producers communicate the excellence of their product to consumers. Sussex wine will now be joining the family of special products which includes Scotch Whisky, Welsh Lamb, Stilton Blue cheese, the Cornish pasty and Herefordshire Cider.
Nusrat Ghani said: "I am enormously proud that Wealden is the home of some of the very best vineyards in the UK. Wealden’s viticulture industry is major local employer and I will always champion our local winemakers, who work incredibly hard all year round to produce their excellent, award-winning products. This is fantastic news to celebrate English Wine Week and as the co-chair of the Wine and Spirit APPG, I am pleased that this recognition of Sussex products has been secured."
