'Green' wines less popular with consumers, says Berry Bros

Published: 03 January, 2012

Top merchant Berry Bros & Rudd says environmentally-friendly wines are proving less popular with consumers - biodynamic wine sales fell 54% in 2011 and organic wine sales dropped 63% on 2010.

But Berry's saw strong sales from Champagne - up 17% by volume and 41% by value on 2010; while Prosecco sales soared by 28% in terms of volume and by 37% in value on 2010. Another star performer was English wines, which saw sales up 50% by value and 25% by volume on 2010, while the value of English wine sold more than doubled between 2006 and 2011.

The merchant said premium wine sales continue to grow - the average cost of a bottle of wine has gone up by almost 56% - or almost £20. Its customers are now spending £51.60 on a bottle on average, up from £33 in 2008. What's more, consumers are keen to improve their wine knowledge with a 71% increase in bookings for its tutored tastings and wine courses since 2008.

Cabernet Sauvignon is the most popular grape for Berry's for the third year running, Chardonnay is second and Pinot Noir third.

Alun Griffiths, MW, buying director, said: "2011 has been a great year for wine at Berry Bros. & Rudd despite the very challenging economic circumstances. With a marked slowdown in fine wine sales, it has been reassuring to see that sales in the mid-priced drinking categories have held up well.

"Spain will be a region to watch in 2012 with its well-made, attractively-priced red and white wines; Argentina continues to make huge strides and South Africa is now producing some excellent wines."

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