15th June, 2016 by Patrick Schmitt
We bring you a detailed analysis of wine sales trends in the UK off-trade during 2015, charting the rise of Merlot and Sauvignon, and fall of rosé.
The UK retail market for still wine is stabilising
As the figures over the following pages highlight, UK retail sales for still wine have fallen over the 12 month period to the end of January this year, but only by 1% in volume and value, suggesting that the market is stabilising.
Notably, the biggest declines in sales by volume have occurred in the £5-6 price band, while growth appears to be occurring at opposite ends of the market: wine priced below £3 and above £8.
In terms of colour, both red and white wine have experienced a 1% decrease in volume sales during the course of 2015, while rosé has dropped by 7% in both volume and value, probably a sign that consumers are moving away from the blush style pink wines that dominate this sector.
As for grape varieties, falling sales of Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay account for the overall decline in white wine sales, although Sauvignon Blanc continues to increase in sales, rising by 9%….