ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of wine tourism in the United Kingdom (UK). It examines some aspects of the UK wine market and discusses factors that have contributed to a growing interest in wine and wine tourism in the UK. The chapter also examines wine tourism marketing in the UK and notes several wine tourism developmental issues. It presents a several brief case studies, and explores the wine tourism strategies of several UK wine businesses. In contrast to traditional European wine-producing countries, the consumption of wine in the UK is increasing. The tastes and preferences of UK wine drinkers are gregarious, with exports from all major New World, as well as traditional countries, except for Germany, rising. The nature of the UK vineyard operation is also changing with wine production seen and undertaken more as a commercial operation, whereas in the past it was often characterized as enterprises operated by retired professional people as a hobby.
