English Wine Producers, the marketing arm of the UK wine industry yesterday held its trade and press tasting at Vinopolis. In addition to the range of wines, which included a number of examples on taste from the 2000 vintage, EWP launched a new initiative: English Wine Week. This is a national campaign to encourage more visits to English vineyards, many of which are open to the public, and to focus on English wine. The campaign has received support and funding from Food From Britain, which will also encourage awareness in English wines in other outlets and its obvious partnership with English food.

Janet Anderson, Minister for Tourism, attended the launch, and pledged her support to EWP for their tourism venture. With number of visitors in rural areas having been disastrously low in recent months, English Wine Week falls at a time when much effort is being made to encourage more visits to the many parts of the country that are open again after the Foot & Mouth disease outbreak. Pledging her support for the efforts the English wine industry is making to attract more visitors to rural areas, Janet Anderson commented: "I am delighted that the English Wine industry is promoting the benefits of rural tourism with such vigour. Wine is of interest to many people, and so many English vineyards have much to offer in the way of guided tours, top-quality restaurants, and not least some very good wine. English Wine Week is a great way to attract more people to visit vineyards as well as to encourage more visitors to the countryside during the Whitsun break."

English Wine Week will be taking place over Whitsun Bank Holiday, coinciding with half term holiday in most schools: Saturday 26th May Sunday 3rd June. During this period many vineyards will be promoting themselves to the public as part of this national campaign, offering tours, tastings or organising special events. A number of speciality outlets will also be promoting English wines and food over the week. English Wine Week will be promoted in the participating regions, through the tourist boards, tourist information centres, regional food groups and the media, both nationally and regionally.

About 95 vineyards throughout central, eastern and southern England are open to the public, providing in many cases full visitors' facilities, from guided tours and tastings, restaurants/caf/tea rooms to shops and other attractions for all the family. Many of these, including others not normally open to the public, will be taking part in English Wine Week.

The collaboration with Food From Britain adds a positive angle to this campaign. FFB promote top quality British specialist food and drink throughout the UK and around the world, and their involvement in English Wine Week will promote a closer partnership between English food and wine, and show just what excellent quality is produced. Alongside the wide range of English wines on taste, a selection of specialist English cheeses was on show at the launch yesterday, and both attracted a high level interest from top wine merchants, food outlets and press.