Italian sparkling wine sales in the Uk market are expected to increase confirming itself as the hottest f&w category. It has been forecast, according to the research conducted by Vinexpo, that sparkling wine sales in Uk supermarkets will have grown by 13.2% by 2019. Analysts found that sparkling wine will also see growth in volume by 7.4%. Guillaume Deglise, chief executive of Vinexpo, commented that, “Prosecco is probably the hottest category in the world at this time”.
PROSECCO, UN UNBRANDED CATEGORY – Prosecco is very strong in the Uk although it’s not really driven by brands. It’s an unbranded category because people are asking for prosecco wine instead of a particular brand. That creates an opportunity for premium prosecco in the Uk in the future. “People would ask for champagne and be given prosecco” as Guillaume Deglise explained,“Now people are asking for prosecco. Because of the price point it is an everyday luxury, whereas champagne is seen as something to be enjoyed for a special occasion. Prosecco is no longer for a special occasion and that makes a big difference in consumption figures”.