Sparkling wine sales in the UK up 76%

Sales of sparkling wine are booming in the UK, with volume sales of alternatives to Champagne having shot up by 76% over the last five years.

According to recent data from accountancy firm UHY Hacker Young, Brits quaffed 34.4 million gallons of sparkling wine in the 12 months to this March compared to 19.5 million gallons over the same period five years ago.

Year-on-year volume sales meanwhile, were up by 9%. UHY Hacker Young cites the growing popularity of English sparkling wine as helping to drive the trend, alongside the UK’s unquenchable thirst for Prosecco.

“Sparkling wine has become increasingly democratised and sales are soaring as a result,” said UHY partner James Simmonds.

“Some of the best premium products can hold their own against Champagne in the tasting stakes and there is a huge variety of great sparkling wines available at price points that are roughly similar to still wines, so there’s real strength in the market.

“English vineyards have established an impressive reputation at home and abroad for their fine sparkling wines, so this is a boon for the UK’s homegrown industry,” he added.

Frazer Thompson, CEO of Chapel Down told City AM: “English wines are no longer the poor relation. Significant amounts of investment, dedication and expertise are helping to create the kind of quality that can rival products from France, Italy, Spain or the New World.”

An in-depth look at alternatives to Champagne and how sparkling wine brands are targeting millennials will appear in the November issue of the drinks business.