Following the publication of ‘The Wine and Spirit Trade In Focus’ brochure the WSTA is bolstering its mission to educate and bring to life the value of the sector by interviewing a range of talented members – shinning a spotlight on a broad spectrum of jobs within the trade.
Our interviewees take us behind the scenes of the complex and vibrant industry which is of significant importance to the UK economy. They share with us insights into their career journey and day to day work.
The wine and spirit trade supports over 412,000 jobs of which 62% work in hospitality*. This works out approximately the same number of people working in agriculture, forestry and fishing combined.
Making it a huge asset to the UK generating £76.3 billion in economic activity in 2022 – £43 billion of that from the spirit sector and £33 billion from wine*.
The UK currently remains a global hub for the wine and spirit trade with the equivalent of 1.7 billion bottles of wine imported last year and the equivalent of 1.5billion bottles of spirits exported overseas. Making the UK the world’s second largest wine importer – by both volume and by value – and the largest spirits exporter globally.
But none of this would be possible without the innovative and talented workforce operating in retail, wholesalers, distilleries, vineyards, logistics, hospitality, bottling plants and throughout the supply chain.
Which is why we are championing the heroes behind the scenes of the UK alcohol industry, in our ‘Wine and Spirit Workers In Focus’ series………
Starting us off is Rachael Curry, Technical Manager at Canned Wine Co.
Her love of wine and the science behind it began when studying Chemistry overseas in the Okanagan Valley wine region in British Columbia, Canada.
Using her scientific skills and passion for wine she secured herself the role of technical lead over seeing quality and safety for Canned Wine products across the supply chain.
The company uses alternative packaging formats selling wine in cans and kegs which means the technical management of the products is incredibly important. as interactions happening on a molecular level in the tank, keg or can.
Rachael explains that aluminium is a much more reactive substance than glass, which is inert. Rachael’s background in Chemistry is vital to help her understand the interactions happening on a molecular level in the tank, keg or can to ensure that it’s suitable to be used in a can and that consumers get quality over time.
To find out more about Rachael and her role within the wine industry and listen to her interview click here.
*Source: WSTA Economic Analysis study of Wine & Spirit industry conducted by Cebr analysis of NIQ off-trade and CGA on-trade data | total wine & spirits| MAT 2022 data
