Chablis sees growth in premium exports in both UK and US

The value of Chablis exports to the UK increased “significantly” during 2025, rising 15% to €35.99 million, the latest figures from the BIVB have revealed, suggesting “a gradual return towards more premium segments”. US sales also continued to to see strong premium positioning, it said. 

Sales of Chablis in the UK increased “significantly” during 2025, up 15% from €30.43 million in 2024 to €35.99 million in 2025, the latest figures from the BIVB have revealed, suggesting an improvement in the average price as well as a gradual return toward more premium segments.

Volume sales also rose, from 3.051million bottles in 2024 to 3.663 million bottles, a rise of 20%, the stats show. Exports have also overtaken those of 2022, which represented €33.964million or 3.523 bottles – a rise of 6% and 4% overall.

Meanwhile value exports of the premium tiers, Chablis Premier Cru and Chablis Grand Cru, saw increases of 26% by value, up from €8,378 in 2024 to €10,429 – marking the first growth in five years, as previously reported by the drinks business.

Paul Espitalié, winemaker and general manager of Simonnet-Febvre, and president of the Chablis Commission told the drinks business in January that Chablis sales in the UK had rebounded strongly from 2024 and he remained confident for 2026.

The latest stats from the BIVB released to the drinks business this week showed volume sales of Chablis Premier Cru and Chablis Grand Cru also rose to 750,000 bottles, up from 593,000 bottles in 2024, a 15% increase. This also marks an impressive 30% increase on the 2023 figures (523,000 bottles). 2025 is also higher than 2022 volume exports of 696,000 bottles, by a more modest 15%.

The premium sectors now account for 29% of the value exports in the UK and 20% of volumes, compared to 25% of value sales in 2023, and 17% of volume.

According to the BIVB, following the contraction in Chablis exports in 2023 in both volume and value terms (linked to inflationary pressure and reduced consumer purchasing power) the market rebounded strongly in 2024 primarily in volume – and the latest stats show the continuation of this trend. Value sales continued to be under pressure in 2024 however, which suggested a shift towards “more accessible segments of the market” – however the 2025 figures show the growth in the premium segments.

Overall however, volume growth has exceeding value growth between 2022 and 2025, highlighting the cyclical and highly price-sensitive nature in the UK market and the influence of retail and large distribution channels, the BIVB said.

US market

Meanwhile, sales in the US have shown a “particularly strong and value-driven dynamic” for all appellations of Chablis between 2022-25.

2024 marked a turning-point following several years of solid growth in volume and value though, the BIVB said, with revenues up 27.7% on 2023, and the number of bottles shipped up 28.8% ,driven by Petit Chablis and Chablis.

Overall, the US accounted for nearly 20% of Chablis’ export revenue and 17% of its volumes in 2024.

2025 has seen volumes declining in the all appellation segment (Petit Chablis, Chablis, Chablis Premier Cru, Chablis Grand Cru), however there was 10% growth in volume sales of Chablis Premier Cru, Chablis Grand Cru – from 561,000 bottles to  618,000 bottles. This indicates a clear trend of premiumization, the BIVB said.

“Operators likely focused on higher value cuvées (Premier Cru and Grand Cru) and specialized distribution channels such as fine wine importers, high-end retailers, and gastronomy,” it noted. Values of this segment slightly dipped however, falling 1% from €. 10,979 to €10,918 in 2025.

Overall volumes in 2025 rebounded while maintaining a high overall value level, the BIVB said, suggesting “that the US market is not experiencing temporary premium growth, but rather a structural move toward higher value positioning.”

Over the four-year period, value growth in the US “significantly” outpaced growth in volume – up 27% compared to volume growth of 7%, with the premium segment seeing value growth of 25%.  This confirmed “that the United States is now a strategic market in terms of margin and premium positioning”, the BIVB said.

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