Prosecco now wedding toast of choice

Italian sparkler Prosecco has overtaken Champagne as the toast of choice at British weddings, according to the latest figures from Laithwaite’s.

In the study, Laithwaite’s found that 63% of couples now toast their nuptials with a flute of Prosecco, compared to just 8% who raise a glass of Champagne.

According to Laithwaite’s, sales of the Italian fizz have grown by over 25% in the last 18 months, overtaking Champagne sales at weddings as far back as 2013.

English Sparkling wine is also giving Champagne competition, accounting for 5% of all sparkling wine drunk at UK weddings, with its popularity rising every month.

Around 150 bottles are quaffed at the average British wedding, with red leading the charge at 60 bottles, white second on 45 and sparkling third on 44.

“It seems inevitable that with the meteoric rise of Prosecco in the last few years, we would start to see a shift from Britain’s traditional bubbles of choice.

“The average wedding requires 44 bottles of sparkling wine and not only is Prosecco far better value for money, our customers say it’s easier to drink than Champagne,” said wine buyer for Laithwaite’s, Beth Willard.

“What is more significant is the current emergence of English sparkling wine. With growing conditions similar to Champagne and an already great selection of these wines on offer, it could also soon eclipse Champagne,” she added.