English and Welsh wine sales rocket in 2021

English and Welsh wine enjoyed soaring demand in 2021, with 9.3 million bottles sold – representing a 31% increase according to figures released by WineGB. 

While the vast majority of sales are taking place at home, with British people making up 96% of the total, notable export markets are emerging, in particular Scandinavia and Norway more specifically.

“Exports of English wine to Scandinavia have been gradually increasing over the last five to seven years, and that growth has been sustained. It’s been more of a steady climb than a sudden spike. I can see the upward trajectory continuing,” WineGB Chair Sam Linter told db last year.

The 9.3 million bottles sold in 2021 marks a significant increase of 69% on bottles sold in 2019. That figure stood at 5.5 million bottles.

Wine retailer Majestic has reported a 58% increase in the sales of English sparkling wine compared with last year, while Aldi has seen a 160% increase year-on-year for its English still rosé.

It is a fitting time to celebrate the boom that English and Welsh wine is currently experiencing, as we are now in the midst of English Wine Week.

Kicking off on Saturday 18 June and running until Sunday 26, the week is designed to promote English wine and its vineyards, supported by merchants, influencers and retailers.

Meanwhile, PDO status has been granted for Sussex Sparkling Wine, as approved by the Ministry for Farming, Fisheries and Food.

The move means that wineries in the region including Artelium, Bolney, Nyetimber and Busi Jacobsohn will receive an extra layer of protection and have the right to bear the Sussex Sparkling Wine PDO on their bottles.

You can read all about the news here.