Sparkling wine buoys UK drinks market

Sparkling wine was the only alcoholic drinks category to enjoy double-digit growth in the UK in the last 12 months.

Sparkling wine sales were up 24% in volume in the last 12 weeks, while Champagne sales were up 6%.

According to the latest market report from the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), retails sales of sparkling wine were up 13% in volume and 19% in value in the last 12 months to 19 July 2014, and up 24% in volume and value in the past 12 weeks to the same date.

Such performance contrasted with a modest rise in total alcohol sales of 1% and 3% in volume and value respectively over the last year, and up 1% in the past 12 weeks. Affecting overall growth were a 3% volume decline in wines sales over the last quarter, and a 2% drop in cider and perry sales.

Meanwhile beer volumes were up by 3% and spirits rose by 1% over the last quarter.

Along with sparkling wine’s sales success, Champagne saw growth in the last 12 weeks, with a 6% volume rise and 5% increase in value sales over the same period.

“Despite disappointing volume growth, the trend towards higher value products in some categories and the growth in premium products like Champagne is an encouraging sign,” said WSTA chief executive Miles Beale.

db will be bringing more news from the report over the course of this week.