English Wine Week goes up a gear

English Wine Producers has unveiled a new logo and point of sale materials to support next month’s English Wine Week as the organisation announced details of its annual tasting.

Taking place across the UK from 24 May until 1 June, the campaign is designed to increase the profile and availability of English wine across both the on- and off-trade. Major retailers Waitrose and Laithwaites are already planning a series of special offers, themed tastings and other events to support the initiative.

The new logo is designed to complement EWP’s own branding and features a wine glass, vine tendrils and a red rose. Retailers, restaurants and wine bars planning to take part in the campaign can contact the organisation to receive a selection of leaflets, posters, bottle neck tags, window stickers, bunting, banners or menu cards, most of which are available free of charge.

This extra support comes as EWP appoints Zoë Davey as dedicated project manager for the campaign in order to increase its impact on 2013. Noting the positive effect already, the organisation’s marketing director Julia Trustram Eve said: “Having Zoë on board has given the initiative a huge boost with uptake quadrupling since last year. We want to encourage people who have never tried English wine to just give it a go and we’re confident that the new branding will help to raise awareness.”

Meanwhile Rebecca Hull MW, wine buyer for Waitrose, outlined the retailer’s plans, saying: “We will be supporting English Wine Week with some special offers and ‘Buyer’s Choice’ recommendations in-store and online.”

In addition, she revealed: “In early May, we will be launching a new Waitrose English Dry White as well as our own Leckford Estate 2011 Brut which is very exciting. We’re also planning to hold another English wine tasting at our Oxford Street Food Hall after last year’s successful event.”

Among the independent retailers who have already signed up, Jon Crouch, owner of The Cave in the New Forest noted the existing popularity of English wine among his customers. However, he added: We’re looking forward to introducing new customers to some top wines from Hampshire, Dorset and Sussex, with a number of special events during English Wine Week.”

The next stage in the build up to English Wine Week will be the EWP trade and press tasting, which takes place at the Institute of Civil Engineers in London on Wednesday 7 May.

As well as featuring a wide selection of English wineries from across the country, including a number of new vintage releases and producers, the tasting will feature a dedicated English Wine Week table, where Davey will offer advice about how to take part.

For more information or to register, click here.