UK drinkers have taste for more wine styles than US

UK drinkers have more diverse tastes when it comes to wine than consumers in the US, according to new research. Wine Intelligence looked at the drinking habits of consumers here and across the Atlantic. Results showed that in the UK people not only drink red and white wine, but they are also more likely to indulge in rosé, Champagne, Cava, Port and Sherry compared to their American cousins.

In a straight red/white contest, UK consumers tend to drink more white wine, while red wins with US consumers.

As far as white grape varieties are concerned, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio were universally popular. In addition, the Brits head for Chenin Blanc and Semillon as alternative whites, whereas in the US drinkers tend to opt for Riesling.

On the red front, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are the top varietals in both countries. After this, UK drinkers plump more for Shiraz, Tempranillo and Grenache, whereas the US tends to opt for its home-grown Zinfandel.

Richard Halstead, Operations Director at Wine Intelligence, puts drinkers’ diverse tastes in the UK down to the market being more mature here. But our transatlantic friends are getting a taste for wine. They consumed a record 300 million cases of it in 2006 and it has now edged ahead of beer as the country’s favourite tipple.