Sparkling wine sales set to soar
Sparkling wine sales across the on- and off-trades last year exceeded 140m bottles in the 12 months to September 2017.
The UK’s sparkling wine trade has seen growth in the past five years, with volume sales up 89% and value up by 206%.
Booming sales
The WSTA has said that although sales are now slowing and no longer showing double-digit growth, more sparkling wine was sold in the UK last year than any previous year.
WSTA chief executive Miles Beale said: “Fizz is traditionally enjoyed by couples on Valentine’s Day but it is clear from booming sales over the past five years, that sparkling wine is a drink enjoyed all year round.
“UK consumers now have a far greater range to choose from that ever before, including world-class English sparkling wines.
“To allow consumers to enjoy a wide range of quality sparkling wines, the WSTA is calling on the Government to redress the UK’s excessively high duty rates, which have helped leave Britain with the fourth most expensive alcohol prices in Europe.”
Rising Prosecco sales
The sparkling wine category includes Prosecco, Cava, Cremant and English sparkling wine among others, all of which have found their way onto drinks menus in bars across the UK.
Meanwhile, the delivered foodservice arm of Bestway Wholesale, BB foodservice expects to see its Prosecco sales hit new heights this Mother’s Day as pubs, restaurants and hotels look to boost margins.
BB foodservice sales director Tony Holmes said: “Thanks to its Champagne-like qualities and low price tags, Prosecco has gone from strength to strength in foodservice, where rising costs of ingredients continues to drive operators to find alternatives.
“Between March 2016 and March 2017, we saw sales of one of our most popular Proseccos increase by as much as 255% in foodservice and we expect the trend to continue this Mother’s Day.”
