FROM JANUARY 2015 TO JANUARY 2016 SALES OF BUBBLES ON THE UK MARKET HAVE TOPPED, FOR THE FIRST TIME, 1 BILLION POUNDS IN TURNOVER, REVEALED THE MOST RECENT WSTA MARKET REPORT

Sales of sparkling wines on the UK market have topped, for the first time, one billion pounds in turnover, revealed the latest WSTA - Wine and Spirit Trade Association (www.wsta.co.uk) Market Report.
From January 2015 to January 2016, retail sales have reached 709 million pounds, in addition to 348 million pounds in on-trade sales, for a total turnover of 1.057 billion pounds, equivalent to 800.000 hectoliters. Essentially, twice as many corks were popped than in 2012, and in the last 12 weeks, 20% growth compared to the same period in 2015, for 229 million pounds and 255.000 hectoliters. The annual growth is mainly on the on-trade channel, while sales in bars, restaurants, pubs and clubs have grown 49% over the past 12 months.
Numbers in pubs are noteworthy: + 270% since 2011 for a value of 95 million pounds. And there is stillroom to grow, because according to the WSTA, in 2020 the bubbles trade could reach one million hectoliters.
The sparkling wine category includes any sparkling wine sold in the UK, from Prosecco to Cava, Champagne, Cremant, national bubbles to sparkling wines from any other country. Champagne shares have dropped in value to 42%, which means, in quantity terms, that 8 out of 10 bottles come from different territories.
“These numbers are particularly encouraging for the growth of English wines”, said Miles Beale, chief executive of WSTA, “even though sparkling wines are one of the highest taxed alcohol categories in the UK: 28% more than still wines. That is why we are asking the Government for a 2% reduction on excise duty because not only will the British wine lovers would get a fairer deal, but the State coffers would get more revenue”.