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Sales of sparkling reach 156 million bottles as Brits lap up European fizz

Published:  02 August, 2017

A new report from the WSTA has revealed just how much sparkling has grown in popularity among UK drinkers.

The WSTA’s annual Wine Report showed that sales of fizz in the UK has grown 12% in the past year, meaning that since 2012, sales of sparkling wine and Champagne have soared by 72%, up from 112 million bottles to around 156 million.

Part of the investigation into Brits’ drinking habits included a poll which asked participants to answer questions on their favourite alcoholic drinks.

Prosecco continues to dominate especially with the 18-24 age group of which 97% said they drink the popular Italian fizz.

Overall, the UK is the sixth largest sparkling wine market in the world, and the largest market for Champagne outside of France.

Recent reports also suggest that the UK is the largest export market for Italian sparkling wine by both volume and growth.

Other key findings include:

- Wine is the most commonly drunk alcoholic drink in the UK, with 60% of UK adults drinking wine

- The UK wine industry makes a total contribution to the UK Treasury of £9.1 billion

- By value, over two thirds of UK trade in wine is with the EU

- New Zealand, Argentina and Chile have seen the largest growth in the UK market in the last year

- Sparkling wine and Champagne sales in 2016 increased 18% by volume and 7% by value in pubs, bars and restaurants, to just under 24 million bottles worth £485 million

- Britain imported over 1.8 billion bottles of wine in 2016 (still and sparkling).