UK drinkers are more adventurous than US

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK consumers drink a wider range of wine styles than their US counterparts, according to new research.

Findings published by Wine Intelligence at the end of January compared US and UK drinking habits. It revealed that US consumers drink more red wine than UK consumers, while the ros category is far more popular in the UK. American consumers are less likely to drink Sherry, Port, Champagne or Cava than the British.

Comparing levels of penetration of different wine styles, the UK mark was 51% for ros and only 34% in the US. Champagne received 40% consumer penetration in the UK, and only 17% in the US, while for Port it was 26% in the UK and just 11% in the US.

In terms of white wine, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc are more popular in the UK, whereas Riesling is more popular in the US. Pinot Grigio is consumed in equal proportions in both markets and is the third-most-popular varietal in both countries after Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are the top red varieties in both the US and the UK.

Zinfandel beats Shiraz for third spot in the US. While in Britain, consumption of Tempranillo and Grenache is much more widespread than it is in the US.

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