Plant science experts and prominent UK winegrowers have joined together to form a research partnership that will bolster the emerging sector.

The new viticulture consortium, which comprises members of NIAB, East Malling Research in Kent (EMR) and leading UK vineyards Chapel Down, Nyetimber and Gusbourne Estate, was launched at the Fruit Focus Event last week, to provide the burgeoning British wine sector with a scientific underpinning.

In March, the UK’s leading wine producers committed to doubling production by 2020 with support from government at a meeting with Defra officials. Just weeks later though, University of East Anglia researchers warned that year-to-year climate variability and hazardous weather at key points in the growing season - the result of human-driven climate change - are likely to leave the industry highly sensitive to the elements in the near future.

The East Malling Viticulture Research Consortium aims to improve the sustainability and profitability of the emerging sector. Chaired by Geoff Taylor from food and drink researchers Campden BRI, the consortium will direct research work at NIAB EMR, focusing on work that can benefit growers, improve the quality of wine and drive down costs in the industry.

For now, the consortium is overseeing the planting of a research trial vineyard, which has been designed to run eight research projects.

On Monday NIAB EMR’s Technical Leader on Viticulture Dr Julien Lecourt said, “The quality of UK wines has dramatically increased this last decade. Further improvements in viticulture will enable the wider expansion and production of the finest quality, globally-recognised, unique wines and equally importantly, an increase in winemakers’ margins.”