Brits lap up sparkling wine as sales boom

Sparkling wine has experienced a 41% growth in UK on-trade sales in the last 12 weeks, more than any other alcohol category.

£316 million has been spent on sparkling wine by UK on-trade customers (Photo: Wiki)

In just that period, £84 million worth of sparkling wine was sold in bars, clubs, restaurants and hotels in Britain.

The volume of sparkling wine being produced has also risen 41% in the last year and 57% in the last 12 weeks.

Sales of spirits, beer, wine and cider all experienced relatively minimal growth over the last quarter.

“The alcohol and particularly the spirits industry is at a critical point: specialize or harmonise,” said Jonathon Dennys, customer marketing and insights controller at Jägermeister.

“The choice could be the most important decision retailers and manufacturers make over the last 12 months.”

Sparkling wine has experienced a 45% increase in sales over the year, three times the next highest increase, which was in fortified wine sales.

In the last 12 months, £316 million has been spent on sparkling wine by on-trade customers, more than Tequila, brandy, fortified wine and RTDs.

Sales of other alcohol types have seen much smaller percentage growths over the last 12 weeks.

Spirits experienced a 9% increase. Cider saw a 4% rise, beer 2% and wine 1%.

Mr Dennys said: “Customers want to be able to select a product that they know something about, that fits with their personality.”

Sparkling wine has sold at an average of £35.32 a litre in the last 12 months, 3% higher than the previous year.