Global Prosecco sales overtake Champagne

Global sales of Prosecco have overtaken Champagne, as the insatiable worldwide thirst for the Italian sparkler shows no sign of abating.

As reported by The Independent, according to figures released by the Italian Sparkling Wine Observatory (OVSE) last Friday, Prosecco sales edged ahead of Champagne sales in 2013.

The Italian sparkler shifted 307 million bottles globally last year, while Champagne sales lagged behind at 304 million bottles.

The OVSE also reported that global value sales were up 16%, while volume sales increased by 11.5%.

Sales of Prosecco have shot up in recent years as penny-pinching consumers sought to trade down during the recession to a more affordable sparkling wine alternative to Champagne.

Prosecco’s light body, citrus flavour profile, off-dry nature and approachability also tick a lot of the trend boxes consumers are seeking from their wines today.

Last January, we reported that Prosecco sales were outstripping Champagne at a number of the UK’s largest retailers, with year on year Prosecco sales at Tesco at the time up 50%.

Prosecco was also singled out as the star performer at Waitrose in December 2012.

Meanwhile, year on year own-label Prosecco sales at the Co-operative rocketed by 875% over the Christmas period last year.

For an in-depth look at the booming Prosecco category and the dangers exploding Glera plantings pose, see the March issue of The Drinks Business, out now.

If you would like to enter our Prosecco Masters 2014 competition, click here. The deadline for entries to the competition is this Friday 14 March.