Wine sales up 47% in Gastropubs

The stats were published in a new report, commissioned by wine agency Liberty Wines, which concentrates specifically on quality (defined by CGA as a “platinum” outlet) eateries.

Wine in this sector is performing well, up 10.5% in value and 7.4% in volume, in an overall on-trade wine market down 9.3% in value and flat in volume terms.

Popular wines in these venues include Viognier, up 21% in volume, and Chardonnay, which is mounting an impressive comeback particularly in restaurants, where sales have increased nearly 40%.

Red wines to watch include Grenache, which has seen double digit growth, albeit off a small base, and Sangiovese up 29% in value.

Pinot Noir is one to invest in for gastropubs where the wine is up an astonishing 75% in volume over the last 12 months.

This shows that - where they feel confident - drinkers are happy to delve into a wine list and pick some more expensive and exciting tipples.

And there’s the rub – how to make people less intimidated by wine lists?

You could certainly do worse than a quick perusal of the list at Yorkshire’s Pipe & Glass Inn, which won Wine List of the Year, sponsored by Berkmann Wine Cellars, at the Budweiser Budvar Top 50 Gastro Pubs 2015.

A list that, if I may say so (having judged the award), is a veritable masterclass in layout, design and range.