The UK government is set to change the law to allow the sale of pint-sized bottles of champagne and wine, a measure that was previously banned by the European Union. This move will bring back a tradition beloved by Sir Winston Churchill, who famously declared that a pint of champagne was "enough for two at lunch and one at dinner".
Bringing Back a British Tradition
Prior to joining the European Common Market in 1973, around 60% of UK champagne sales were in pints. However, this practice was outlawed at the time. The plan to reintroduce pint-sized bottles was initially proposed in 2021 but faced legal delays.
Impending Law Change
The Department for Business and Trade has informed other Whitehall sectors that the ban on pint-sized servings will soon be lifted. A consultation with the champagne and English sparkling wine industries is expected to take place in the near future. Changes to weights and measures legislation will then pave the way for the availability of pint-sized servings of all wines by early next year.
Pushing Back Against EU Rules
A source from the business department stated, "This is just the latest win from our push to ditch pointless and restrictive EU rules. And what better way than by bringing back Churchill's favorite?"
