UK merchants post huge sales in 2010

A number of UK wine merchants have enjoyed a spectacular year, reporting sales of over £100 million and posting substantial increases on 2009.

London-based merchant Farr Vintners announced sales in 2010 of £169m in its "end of term" report – more than double 2009’s takings of £82m.

Sales soared in 2010 due to “record demand during the extraordinary 2009 en primeur campaign”, said chairman Stephen Browett.

The ’09 campaign brought in £62.8m, three times the figure for the 2008 vintage, with sales of Bordeaux wine accounting for 87% of the company’s sales by value.

Pontet Canet led the way with sales by volume, followed by Lynch Bages, Lafite and Cos d’Estournel, while Lafite was the top seller by value.

Berry Brothers & Rudd – the UK’s biggest and oldest wine merchant – made £110m from its 2009 en primeur campaign this year, nearly three times more than last year.

London merchant Bordeaux Index also posted sales above £100m.

Hot on the heels of Bordeaux, merchants are also anticipating a successful Burgundy 2009 campaign, which begins this month in London.

Lucy Shaw, 10.01.2011