Whites more popular than reds this Christmas

White wine is expected to be the most popular drink in the UK this Christmas, beating out more traditional reds, a YouGov poll commissioned by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has revealed.

As many as 37% of people plan to drink white wine at home over Christmas, the most popular choice out of all alcoholic drinks, compared to 35% for red wine.

White wine was also the favoured beverage to order at a restaurant (24%), with red coming in a close second at 23%, or to drink at a friend’s house.

According to sales data analysed by Laithwaite’s Wine, Sauvignon Blanc is expected to be the most popular white wine, with the variety expected to account for one in ten bottles of wine purchased during the Christmas period.

“Whether it’s accompanying the roast or bringing in the New Year, wine is as embedded in the festive period as mince pies, brussel sprouts and the Queen’s Speech,” said Beth Willard, Wine Buyer at Laithwaite’s Wine, “so, it’s fascinating to see how our tastes are changing at this time of year.”

Chardonnay, the sixth most popular wine at Laithwaite’s this Christmas, has seen sales increase 10% year-on-year from 1 October to 15 November compared to the same period last year.

Rosé was also surprisingly popular in the run up to Christmas, a style traditionally associated with summer, with a quarter of all Laithwaite’s rosé sales (25%) occurring during this period.

“Chardonnay is really starting to make up ground on its rivals and despite being viewed as a summer wine, Rosé is clearly popular at this time of year, as a good alternative to red with the roast”, added Willard. “Malbec has enjoyed a phenomenal rise in the last year, but it’s Sauvignon Blanc’s popularity that keeps it top of Christmas wish lists.”

The YouGov poll found that 90% of people plan on drinking alcohol over the holidays, with 83% expecting the amount they drink to increase.