Rose leads the way

Rosé wines achieved 20% value growth in the UK over the past year as premium wines, Champagne and cider lead the drinks market recovery.

Rosé wine sales have risen by over 20% in value in the UK on-trade last year, according to the Wine and Sprit Trade Association’s Quarterly Market Report.

The figures show rosé sales from shops are up by 9.2% in value and 7.6% in volume in the year to May while the value of rosé sales in the on-trade is up by 21.4% – 18.4% in volume.

Elsewhere the figures show some recovery for Champagne in the off-trade with sales up significantly – 12.5% in volume and 7.7% in value – following the marked decline since 2007.

The WSTA Market Report shows that sales in shops continue to grow across all categories except fortified wine, with Champagne, sparkling wine (up 6.8% in volume and 11.4% in value) and cider (up 9.9% in volume and 13.4% in value) the main winners.

The past year has seen a marked growth in sales of wine in the £6 to £7 bracket (up 25% in volume and value) and the £9 to £10 price range (up 11.9% in volume and 19.1% in value).

Figures for bars, clubs and restaurants show only wine (up 0.9% in volume and 1.3% in value) and cider (up 3% in value) achieving any real value growth.

WSTA chief executive Jeremy Beadles said: "Given the fact that sales of other wines in bars, clubs and restaurants are down over the course of the past year the big rise in rosé is all the more striking. No doubt the recent good weather will have continued to boost its popularity.

"The growth in the £6 to £7 and £9 to £10 price ranges does suggest that while consumers may be cutting back on spending elsewhere the attraction of a better bottle of wine at home is tempting wine drinkers to spend a little more."

Alan Lodge, 14.07.2010