UK Wine Show 151 WSTA Gavin Partington

This show was published 10 April 2009

Overview

Gavin Partington is spokesperson for The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) that represents the whole of the wine and spirit supply chain in the UK. In this 2nd interview with Gavin we find out about the WSTA and the issues they are tackling.

The Wine & Spirit Trade Association is the representative body in the UK for wine and imported spirits businesses whose 330 members include producers, wholesalers, importers, bottlers and retailers. The WSTA lobby and act on behalf of the whole industry at UK and European level dealing with government on the rules and regulations affecting the trade but also defending members interests.

They work with WRAP on environmental issues such as recycling and packaging. In the last year, in partnership with Hillebrand, they have developed the carbon calculator, an online tool allowing businesses to calculate the impact of transporting their wine.

Wine & Spirit duty has been a big issue for the industry in the last year following the 9% increase in duty in March 2009. This pushed up the average price of wine and put the big retailers under pressure to reduce prices through promotions and margin reductions.

In 2005 the Challenge 21 scheme was introduced to help retailers combat underage drinking by asking for proof of age if customer looks under 21. In 2009 Challenge 25 has been rolled out after successful trials in Asda and Morrisons so that if you look under 25 you will be asked to prove your age.

For more info on the WSTA visit www.wsta.co.uk

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The UK Wine Show is sponsored by ThirtyFifty. Our team of wine tasters are busy entertaining and educating UK consumers to help them get the most out of wine.

Music

The music used for the UK Wine Show is Griffes de Jingle 1 by Marcel de la Jartèle and Silence by Etoile Noire.