Sparkling wine from across the world makes a splash in the UK
Latest figures from research company Nielsen show that sparkling wine sales in the UK are outperforming Champagne as consumers seek out alternatives.
Retail sales of sparkling wine were up 11.6% by value in the year to 1 March 2012 compared with just 1.2% growth for Champagne. Italy saw the biggest growth, up 48%, with Chile and English fizz both up 26%. But consumers are also turning to French fizz from outside the Champagne region with sales up by 12.5%.
Wine distributors Bibendum say England and Brazil are the ones to watch (Brazil has a long history of making sparking wine and are now focusing on exports) and Asda sparkling wine buyer Lynsey Grace says New Zealand's sparkling Sauvignon Blancs tap into a number of key consumer trends by offering refreshing Sauvignon Blanc as a fizzy wine.
