Wine tops poll of nation's favourite drinks

Wine has emerged as the nation's favourite alcoholic drink but beer is still the top choice for outdoor occasions, a new survey has revealed.

According to Wine Intelligence, one in three people who drink alcohol say they prefer wine, while one in four prefer beer and one in five opt for spirits.

But beer has come out on top as the preferred drink for outdoor occasions with 75 per cent of people choosing it ahead of wine, which 68 per cent of people drink outside.

The survey revealed white wine as the UK's favourite type of wine with more than half saying they drink white wine compared to 47 per cent of people who drink red wine and 35 per cent who drink rosé wine.

When alcohol drinkers were asked why they liked wine, three in four people described it as a relaxing drink without food while nine in 10 people said it went well with food.

Brian Howard of Wine Intelligence, the company behind the survey, said: "This survey provides the most up-to-date and possibly the most comprehensive picture of who drinks what across alcohol categories in the UK. One thing is clear: wine is a strong and stable fixture in UK adult social life."

Jeremy Beadles, chief executive of the WSTA, said: "This confirms the strength of the British love affair with wine. Long may it continue and flourish. People see wine as something both to enjoy with food and as part of a sociable lifestyle."