Wine and PPS brands challenge lager in the top 100 drinks brands

Wine and premium packaged spirits (PPS) are turning up the heat on the mainstream lager brands according to an ACNielsen survey of the UK's top 100 drinks brands.

The survey, based exclusively on off-trade data, shows that leading PPS Bacardi Breezer has broken into the top 10 drinks for the first time.

Rival brands such as Archers Aqua and Smirnoff Ice also showed growth in a PPS market worth more than £1billion.

The growth of wine brands, and New World wines in particular, has also continued with two brands, Blossom Hill and Rosemount, making a first foray into the top 20.

Peter Crean, business manager of ACNielsen said: "The entry of these two brands means that there are now six wine brands in the top 20, something that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago."

The domination of lagers in the beer market remains steadfast, however, with Stella Artois, Carling, Foster's and Budweiser occupying the top four places. Stella Artois retained its No.1 position, with sales of £337m.

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