Article 50 date set: What to do before Brexit

Tuesday, 28 March, 2017
Decanter, Chris Mercer
UK prime minister Theresa May plans to trigger Article 50 on 29 March. Nothing is certain after that point, and it's not as if no one ever crossed the English Channel prior to the EU, but if you're a British wine lover living in the UK then here's a few things that you could try out before the country plunges into Brexit.

Tick off as many EU wine regions as you can

How many wine regions have you visited in the European Union? If your bank account can stand up to the pitiful sterling-euro exchange rate, then you’ve got 18 months to two years to tick off  as many as you can before you might have to consider some form of tourist visa form-filling.

Sail through customs, hire a vintage car with your EU-valid driving licence and hit the road…

Write a novel in a Tuscan villa surrounded by vineyards

You could even see out the last months before Brexit by living on the continent. If you’ve always flirted with a desire to write a best-selling novel in the Tuscan hills, fuelled by a few glasses of Sangiovese, then now is the time to do it with no questions asked. Obviously, it’s likely to be a massive drain on your finances, your communication will be limited if you don’t speak Italian and the book probably won’t even cover your return flight even if you finish it. But, just picture the scene…

Put yourself to work  in a French vineyard – or a wine bar

Grape picking is not for the faint-hearted, but it’s currently possible for UK nationals to work in the European Union in full daylight without having to worry about whether your work permit papers are still in your back pocket.

Many of the larger wine estates in established regions bring in dedicated teams of skilled pickers, rather than letting loose a bunch of tourists. But, there’s a few opportunities out there for beginners and also for those with limited experience. The French employment website might be a good place to look.

To read more online, click here.