Global thirst for sparkling wine insatiable

Consumers around the world have developed an insatiable thirst for sparkling wine with global sales having surged by 30% in the last decade.

According to the latest figures from the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), in order to meet demand, production of sparkling wine has increased by 40% over the last decade, with still wine growth lagging far behind at just 7%.

Some 17.6m hectoliters of sparkling wine was made in 2013, accounting for 7% of total wine production around the world, up from 4% in the year 2000. The same year, 8.7m hectoliters of sparkling wine, with a market value of €4.3 billion, was sold.

Sparkling wine exports now account for 9% of global wine exports by volume and 18% by value.

While France, Italy, Spain, Germany and Russia lead the way for sparkling wine production, accounting for 74% of global production, both production and consumption of fizz is on the rise in New World countries.

According to the OIV report, the US and Australia are becoming increasingly important players in the sparkling wine market with production having increased by 29% and 25% respectively over the last decade.

The ongoing Prosecco boom has led to the democratisation of sparkling wine consumption due to its affordability and approachability.

Consumers no longer view sparkling wine as a festive drink reserved for special occasions but as something that can be enjoyed midweek without ceremony.

In addition, sparkling wine is being drunk more often as an apéritif and in cocktails.

But despite Prosecco’s impressive performance, France remains the number one country for sparkling wine production, with 3.5m hl produced in 2013.

Italy however, is nipping at France’s coattails with annual sparkling wine production in 2013 of 3.2m hl, while Germany produced 2.6m hl and Spain 1.8m.

Sparkling wine consumption is also on the rise in China, which has grown to become the fifth largest Champagne importing country in the world.