A:

If we'd been asked that question 20 years ago, this would have been a fair comment. However, the quality of English wines has improved out of all recognition. Over recent years, owing to climate change, the temperature has risen 2 or 3 degrees and that has made a significant difference to ripening conditions for grapes. In addition, the quality of vineyard management and wine making has improved dramatically.

At the London International Wine Fair 2008, it was announced that 20 English wines had been submitted to the International Wine & Spirit Competition for a blind tasting assessment. No less than 19 won medals - a fantastic achievement. And how many English wines were available for tasting out of the 3,000 or so wines available - NONE !!! Why? because it was too expensive for their producers to exhibit. The Governments of other European countries assist their producers in financing the high cost of showing their wines - SO WHY CAN'T OUR GOVERNMENT DO THE SAME?

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A:

When these guidelines were drawn up by the Department of Health many years ago, a typical glass of wine was considered to be 100ml at 10% alcohol by volume. Nowadays, the quantity in a wine served by the glass must be 125ml, 175ml or 250ml,  or multiple thereof, under the Weights and Measures regulations. 125ml is considered too paltry, so one has a choice of a "standard" glass - 175ml or "large" glass - 250ml (a THIRD of a bottle). Coupled with this,  a typical glass of Aussie or Chilean wine is likely to be 14% abv or more. So the net result is typically 3 to 3.5 units per glass - not good for weight, kidneys or driving within the limit!

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