More drinkers, but we're drinking less

New research published in the Wilson Drinks Report Annual Review 2010 shows the total number of adult drinkers in Britain increased by about 300,000 every year between 2004 and 2009 but that total volumes of alcohol consumed have decreased. Beer volumes decreased by 16%, wine volumes were down by 1% and spirits volumes decreased by 7%. Only cider volumes were up over this 5 year period, by 40%.

The figure of 300,000 was derived from the total number of additional British adults from ONS data and a YouGov poll which estimates the proportion of non-drinkers to be around 17%.

Meanwhile an Italian study by Unicab, shows that younger Italians are drinking less than their elders. While 69% of Italians over 65 drink wine every day, only 13% of 16 to 35-year-olds do the same. The research company believe the decline is due to social change with many families becoming more fragmented and no longer eating meals together and enjoying wine as part of the occasion. The research found that 30% of Italians no longer consider wine as a symbol of Italian gastronomy. The findings were revealed at Vinitaly, in Verona last week.