InterpretationU.K.
1(1)Subject to sub-paragraph (3) below, for the purposes of this Act, wine or made-wine which is for the time being in a closed container is sparkling if, due to the presence of carbon dioxide or any other gas, the pressure in the container, measured at a temperature of 20° C, is not less than 1 bar in excess of atmospheric pressure.U.K.
(2)For the purposes of this Act, wine or made-wine which is not for the time being in a closed container is sparkling if it has characteristics similar to those of wine or made-wine which has been removed from a closed container and which, before removal, fell within sub-paragraph (1) above.
(3)Notwithstanding anything in sub-paragraph (1) above, wine or made-wine which is for the time being in a closed container shall not be regarded as sparkling for the purposes of the rates of duty set out above, if—
(a)the container does not have a mushroom-shaped stopper (whether solid or hollow) held in place by a tie or fastening; and
(b)the pressure in the container, measured at a temperature of 20° C, is less than 3 bars in excess of atmospheric pressure.
2U.K.For the purposes of this Act, wine or made-wine shall be regarded as having been rendered sparkling if—
(a)as a result of aeration, fermentation or any other process, it either falls within paragarph 1(1) above or takes on such characteristics as are referred to in paragraph 1(2) above; or
(b)being sparkling wine or made-wine which, by virtue only of 1(3) above, was not chargeable to duty as sparkling wine or made-wine, it is transferred into a closed container which has a mushroom-shaped stopper (whether solid or hollow) held in place by a tie or fastening.