The consultation will give the whole industry, from vineyards through to wineries and retailers, a vital say in how the government modifies its inspection processes for the sector.

The final proposals could bring significant changes to the wine business with processors in particular undergoing greater scrutiny over the quality and safety of its produce.

Alan Curren, the current head of the FSA's wine standards branch, said the consultation was an important step in assessing how best to boost wine production within the country.

"The consultation exercise offers the opportunity to listen to the views of stakeholders, with the aim of improving our effectiveness and ensuring that inspection and enforcement are consistent, transparent and proportionate," he stated.

Whether or not these changes will benefit the country's wine industry remains to be seen, though producers and retailers alike will doubtlessly hope it can give the UK market for the product a much needed shot in the arm.

Figures from last year's VINEXPO suggest that UK consumers may well be losing some of their passion for the drink.

The statistics estimated that Britons will only be drinking an extra 1.5 litres of wine each in 2010, compared to the 27-litre per person rate in 2005. That is a far cry from the 75 per cent leap in wine drinking over the previous 15 years.

The FSA took over control of wine standards just over a year ago as part of a shake up of the UK's regulatory practice following the findings of the Hampton Report.

The findings suggested that different regulatory bodies for food and beverage production in the country were costly and inefficient, requiring a wide series of regulatory consolidation.

As such, it was recommended that FSA take over responsibility for the wine sector from the Wine Standards Board.