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English sparkling wine sales soar over Christmas

11 January 2023 By Christian Smith

Specialist wine retailer Majestic has revealed that sales of English sparkling wine enjoyed a pronounced uplift over the festive period last year.

Amid concerns among some Champagne producers of a shortage in the lead up to Christmas, English sparkling wine appears to have capitalised with sales up 19% year-on-year.

Cava also enjoyed a 29% increase in sales compared with the previous year, as Brits sought out alternative fizz formats to toast their friends and family over the festive period.

Meanwhile, the winter World Cup in Qatar led to a year-on-year increase in beer sales, with those electing to watch the action from their own homes stocking up.

Majestic CEO John Colley commented: “Despite a very tough trading environment and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, Majestic achieved a strong Christmas performance which is significantly higher than pre-covid levels. Even when budgets are tight, our discerning customers demonstrated that the value, expertise, quality, experience and delivery service of Majestic means we are the best place for customers to find wines they will love.”

Colley admitted that the next 12 months will present further challenges due to the cost-of-living crises, but expressed confidence that Majestic would navigate its way through the difficulties.

Meanwhile, despite fears over potential shortages, Champagne exports soared in 2022. The Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne has said that the sector anticipated sales of an extraordinary 331 million bottles in 2022, the second-highest number on record after 2007’s 338 million bottles. Of this overall figure, 57% of sales will be accounted for by exports.