making Spirits

Winegrowers Supplies - making Spirits

Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on the definition, description, presentation, labelling and protection of geographical indications for spirit drinks.
including the use of the names of spirit drinks in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs,
the use of ethyl alcohol and distillates of agricultural origin in alcoholic beverages, and repealing Regulation (EC) No. 110/2008.
The provisions on geographical indications for this regulation became applicable from 8 June 2019.
For Great Britain, this regulation will become retained EU law via the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018, with operability amendments being made via secondary legislation.

Spirits production in the UK

Of particular importance are:-

The 8 classes of spirits: on form W21 Alcohol duties: Quarterly Distillery Return — declaration of materials used and spirits produced there are 8 categories listed:-

malt spirits: Whisky

grain spirits: Grain spirit

neutral spirits of agricultural origin: Gin, Vodka

neutral spirits of non-agricultural origin.

spirits produced from beer: Beer spirit

spirits produced from wine or other fermented products (previously known as made-wine): Wine spirit

Wine is an alcoholic drink produced by fermenting the juice of fresh grapes or the must (juice) of fresh grapes. It has an alcoholic strength exceeding 1.2% abv but not exceeding 22% abv.
Made-wine is the term used to describe a wide variety of drinks that do not fall under the heading of spirits, wine, beer or cider,
which are made from the alcoholic fermentation of any substance or the mixing of wine with another substance.
For example, most English 'country' wines, made from fruit and sugar; such as elderflower, sloe, blackberries etc.

Note: The term British wine is used to describe a drink made in Britain by the fermentation of grape juice (or any other fruit juice) or concentrate originating from anywhere in the world.
It cannot be used for wine in the legal sense, which must be produced from freshly pressed grapes.

spirits produced from cider or perry: Cider spirit

other spirits.

Restrictions on the manufacturing processes: when you manufacture spirits you must:-
use only those processes for which you’ve received approval
comply with any conditions we specify including, if applicable, those relating to inward processing on imported cereals
If you wish to change an existing process, or use a new process you must contact the Excise Processing Teams.
You must have our written approval before introducing any changes to your processes.