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Consumers slash wine spending

Over one third of UK consumers have slashed spending on wine or opted for bargain bottles, according to the latest research from the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).

The findings of the Wine Intelligence poll of 1,000 regular wine drinkers reinforce market data suggesting a growing number of low spending consumers are being forced out of the wine category altogether.

Asked about the impact of the economic climate, half of those surveyed say they are paying more attention to price, while one in four say they are drinking wine at home more often instead of going out.

The survey confirms the shift away from pubs and restaurants towards drinking wine at home as the impact of the economic downturn takes hold.

The key findings of the WSTA commissioned poll include:

* 34% of wine drinkers are spending less overall on wine

* Wine drinkers typically spending less than £4 a bottle are reducing their spending on wine in greater numbers

* 26% of wine drinkers say they are drinking at home more often instead of in pubs and restaurants as a response to the downturn in the economic climate

* One in five wine drinkers (21%) are buying more wine at once to benefit from a discount

Commenting on the survey results, Jeremy Beadles, chief executive of the WSTA, said: "The survey bears out the warnings from the trade that in the face of the worst recession for a generation and successive punitive tax increases the market has reached a tipping point.

"The findings from Wine Intelligence come on top of evidence from Nielsen showing sales of wine priced under £4 fell by 11% last year.

"Analysts suggest this indicates many on lower budgets are simply being priced out of the wine category and this survey lends weight to that view."

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