The United Kingdom Vineyards Association (UKVA) has launched a new wine-labelling scheme to provide more assurance to buyers about the quality of the country's produce.

As small English vineyards look to make their mark in a world dominated by the great French houses such as Chateau Margaux and Chateau Lafite Rothschild, the UKVA wants to ensure that people buying English wine know exactly what they are getting.

The Drinks Business notes that the new initiative will see growers having to go through strict independent analytical and organoleptic assessments after the wine is bottled.

Doing so will allow vintners to use the terms English Quality Wine and English Regional Wine on labels.

"Consumers will be assured that every possible measure has been taken to ensure the wine is of good quality and made from grapes grown in England or Wales," UKVA chairman Ian Edwards told the publication.

UK vineyards recently reported that 2010 is shaping up to be an excellent year for British wines, with greater expertise and warmer weather aiding a healthy growth.