Sales of rosé buck the falling trend in UK wine sector
Increasing sales of rosé wine in the UK are providing a “much-needed ray of sunshine” for wine producers and retailers “who are currently facing some of the toughest market conditions in recent memory”, according to the latest WSTA market report.
Volume sales of pink wine rose 3% in in the last 12 months, with value sales up 5%, generating £882m in sales, the Wine and Spirit Trade Association’s (WSTA) market report said.
During the 12-week summer period in 2025, rosé sales were up 1% on the previous year – but the winter sales data showed rosé is being enjoyed all year round – rising 1% in the 12 weeks up to 27th December compared to the previous year.
In 2025 the equivalent of 129 million 75cl bottles of rosé were sold, compared to 125 million bottles the previous year or around 122 million bottles in 2023.
Bright spot
This increase proved to be a bright spot amid the “beleaguered” still wine sector, the reports noted, which saw red wine sales fall 6% in volume terms in the last 12 months. White wine sales were also down to a lesser degree, by 4%.
As previously reported by the drinks business, the “bonkers” UK retail market for rosé is being driven by a handful of wine brands that are priced below £10, according to Edward Vellacott, managing director at Bijou Wines. Around 70% of the growth has been driven by Famille Perrin’s La Vieille Ferme rosé brand, he said, along with Le Bijou de Sophie Valrose, La P’tite Pierre by Les Grands Chais de France and Studio by Miraval. All four wines are made using grapes from southern France which can be sourced more cheaply than those from Provence, the famous source of dry, pale rosé.
Partner Content
Miles Beale, chief executive of the WSTA said the rise in rosé sales would give the wine sector “a much needed lift, as beleaguered businesses continue to battle with unnecessary burdens of red tape and taxes.”
“The perfect storm of Government driven policies including duty hikes, packaging tax, business rates and minimum wage increases – has been worsened by rising transportation costs driven by conflict in the Middle East – are fuelling inflation and threatening to put companies out of business,” he said.
“White and red wine sales are in steady decline and have been since 2023. However, rosé is providing some light relief, showing steady growth throughout the year as sales patterns reveal it is no longer being side-lined to just a summer drink. “
Beth Birrell, wine buyer for rosé at M&S Food, said it had been “fascinating” to see rosé sales at Christmas nearly double those in the hottest week of July, “driven predominantly by sparkling rosé”, she added. This demonstrated that rosé “has become a go-to choice for all manner of festive celebrations”, including Easter.
Pink wine’s popularity at Easter was echoed by Waitrose’s rosé buyer, Poppy De-Courcy-Wheeler, who also noted an increase in rosé sales in the run up to Easter.
Related news
Damien Hirst partners with Château La Coste on rosé brand
