Summary of our market study

Since 2020, the sparkling wine market in the United Kingdom has been influenced by several key factors. The UK relies heavily on imports for its sparkling wine consumption, with 97.1% of imports coming from the European Union and Prosecco being a significant import, accounting for approximately one-third of the country's sparkling wine imports. The domestic production of sparkling wine, mainly concentrated in Southern England, is still small, representing just 3.7% of national consumption. However, English vineyards have been expanding, with cultivated areas growing by 13% between 2017 and 2018. Brexit remains a significant concern for the industry, with potential consequences on trade regulations, customs duties, and currency fluctuations. The exit from the EU could end European subsidies for UK farmers and affect the cost and availability of imported wines. Market trends include a move towards more expensive wines over £6, and Prosecco's popularity as a third most preferred drink among UK wine consumers, despite a slowdown in consumption growth to 5% from 2017 to 2018. The off-trade market led by supermarkets is significant, with 24.1% controlled by 10 brands, while English vineyards are turning to wine tourism as a strategy for market visibility and growth..### Trends and Insights into the UK Sparkling Wine Market Dynamics The UK sparkling wine market has been undergoing significant transformation underpinned by various factors that include climatic changes, socio-economic shifts, and regulatory adjustments. Our analysis reveals that sparkling wines, excluding the distinctive Champagne category, have been carving out their own niche within the UK's alcoholic beverage landscape. Notably, Prosecco, the Italian sparkling wine, has gained prominence and has become the best-selling sparkling wine in England, outpacing traditional favorites from the Champagne region and other crémants from France. Despite the burgeoning appeal of English sparkling wine enabled by favorable climatic conditions, the UK market continues to be heavily reliant on imports to meet its demand, with a mere 3.7% of consumption accounted for by domestic production. The dependence on European imports is stark, with 97.1% of the UK's sparkling wine imports originating from the EU, and Italy alone delivering a commanding 87.8% of exports to the UK, largely thanks to the skyrocketing popularity of Prosecco. In terms of market performance, alcohol sales in the UK reached somewhere between £35 and £45 billion in 2017, with wines and spirits contributing more than half of these sales. Sparkling wine registered substantial growth, with market value soaring past £1 billion, and Brits purchasing between 150 and 170 million bottles in 2018, emphasizing a 10% increment from the previous year and an astounding increase of over 65% since 2013. The holiday season notably marks the zenith of sparkling wine consumption, evidencing its role in festive traditions. The consumer base for alcoholic beverages in the UK appears to be evolving. A shift is witnessed from lower to higher-priced wines, indicating an upmarket move endorsed by consumers. Sparkling wine, in particular, enjoys a demographic tilt with more female consumers in the age group of 18 to 44 years leaning towards it. Moreover, reports suggest that almost 20% of UK adults abstain from alcohol, yet, against this backdrop of moderation, sparkling wine continues to enjoy an uptick, with a 7.8% volume growth in the on-trade category, in clear defiance of the overarching trend. Delving into market structure, the UK's sparkling wine production is termed highly concentrated, with a small proportion of vineyards, particularly those larger than 18 hectares, dominating crop cultivation as well as sparkling wine sales. While imports hold great sway, it's imperative to note that English vineyards are also expanding,.### Key Players Shaping the UK Sparkling Wine Market Landscape As we delve into the effervescent world of the UK's sparkling wine market, we encounter an eclectic mix of local and global companies that are instrumental in steering the consumer experience and market dynamics. These firms range from established wine conglomerates to idyllic English vineyards, each contributing their unique flavors to the burgeoning sector. **Prominent Wine Groups with Global Footprints** Concha y Toro and Accolade Wines are two titans in the industry, with their extensive portfolio of brands and international reach. These groups bring a diverse array of sparkling wines to the British table, ensuring that wine enthusiasts have access to both local and international varieties. Treasury Wine Estates and Pernod Ricard further augment this landscape with their strong global presence. Pernod Ricard, in particular, is known for its high-quality beverages that resonate well with a market that increasingly appreciates the finer things in life. **Champions of English Sparkling Wine** The local English wine estates such as Giffords Hall, Three Choirs, and Nyetimber, are at the heart of the UK's wine tourism and the burgeoning domestic production scene. These estates not only provide distinctive sparkling wines that cater to the local palate but also help to elevate the profile of English wines on the international stage. **Prestigious Foreign Wine Estates** Antica Fratta and Wolfberger are examples of foreign wine estates that enrich the UK market with their sparkling offerings. They represent the charm and sophistication of their respective regions, bringing a touch of international flair to the British consumer. Freixenet, a renowned name for Spanish Cava, has become a household name in the UK, preferred for its consistent quality and festive branding that aligns perfectly with Britain's celebratory occasions. **Supportive Auxiliary Entities** Essential to the growth and maintenance of the sparkling wine industry are companies like Agrovista and Lallemand, which provide vital auxiliary services. These firms offer expertise, from agricultural supplies to fermentation technologies, which are crucial for vineyards to thrive and produce the fine sparkling wines that end up in consumers' glasses. In essence, these actors share the stage in a collaborative and competitive manner, crafting a market that is as dynamic as it is diverse. Their collective efforts decorate the world of sparkling wine with myriad choices, innovative practices, and enriching experiences that appeal to both casual drinkers and connoisseurs alike. As the UK market evolves, these key players will undoubtedly continue to shape its direction and contribute

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1 Market summary

1.1 Definition and scope of the study

The sparkling wines ( sparkling wine ) are wines whose carbon dioxide concentration is sufficient to give them effervescent properties. Several categories exist, depending on their CO2 content, from the lowest to the highest:

  • Pearly wine
  • Sparkling wine
  • Sparkling wine

The most famous sparkling wines are those of the Champagne region, the crémants of the Loire, Burgundy and Alsace. However, the one that sells the most in England is the Prosecco italian sparkling white wine produced in particular in Veneto

The sector is currently in a state of upheaval . The production of sparkling wine can nowadays be done at Southern England in particular thanks to global warming, which makes it possible to satisfy a growing demand . On the other hand, the Brexit remains a major uncertainty that could have consequences for the sector by challenging the links between the United Kingdom and Europe .

This study will deal with sparkling wines in the United Kingdom, excluding Champagne, on which a whole study is devoted.

1.2 World production of sparkling wine is concentrated

After a bad year in ****, world wine production is estimated to have increased by **% to *** million hectolitres, according to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine. [***] This production should make it possible to satisfy particularly demanding demand, whose consumption remained relatively stable between **** and ****.

Source: ****

According to data from France Agrimer ...

1.3 The effervescent wine market in full swing

Alcohol sales in the United Kingdom amounted to £**.* billion in ****, of which £**.* billion came from the sale of wines and spirits. As shown in the graph below, the sale on trade (***) represented *** million pounds, for a total market of *,*** billion pounds. [***]

Source: ****

In ****, the British bought *** million bottles of sparkling wine, ...

1.4 The importance of sparkling wine imports

Since the United Kingdom produces only *.*% of its sparkling wine consumption, the rest of the production is imported from abroad. In ****, this flow represented an amount of €***.** million. Italy alone accounts for **.*% of sparkling wine exports to the United Kingdom. Spain stands out only for its exports of Cava (***). [***]

Source: ****

There ...

2 Demand analysis

2.1 Profile of alcohol consumers in the United Kingdom

 Alcohol consumption in the United Kingdom has decreased in recent years, from an average of **.* litres per year in **** to *.* litres in ****.

A report published by Accolade Wines one of the most important players in the sector, gives the distribution of consumer spending according to the price of a ** cl bottle ...

2.2 Focus on Prosecco consumption

The consumption of sparkling wine increased by only *% between **** and ****, reaching ***.* million litres sold. This growth is the lowest in a decade, as noted by the consulting firm UHY Hacker Young .

The latter explains this slowdown by an overexposure of the Prosecco, which is trying to preserve its luxurious image while ...

2.3 Anti-alcohol health campaigns in the United Kingdom

Media campaigns have been launched in recent years to encourage adults to reduce their alcohol consumption Drinkware is one of those associations that are fighting for this, with campaigns aimed at both adults and teenagers. « Have a little less, feel a lot better "was launched in January **** and focused on adults ...

2.4 A growing consumption of sparkling wine

An everyday drink

The interest in sparkling wine is strongly linked to the time of year, as indicated by the Google Trends graph associated with the word Prosecco Beverage Dynamics notes, however, that sparkling wine is increasingly being consumed as an "everyday drink".

Prosecco, thanks to a relatively low price, compared ...

3 Market structure

3.1 A highly concentrated market

 WSTA counted *** vineyards in **** in the United Kingdom and *** wineries. These farms are still small. In most cases, they are less than * hectares. Farms of more than ** hectares represent only *% of the total. [***]

Source: ****

However, these large farms of more than * ha concentrate **% of the areas cultivated by the winegrowers. On ...

3.2 A production that is developing in the South of England

The production of sparkling wine from fresh grapes is associated with the Prodcom code **.**.**.** and makes it possible to identify the European regions where the production of sparkling wine is the most important, when the data is provided.

Source: ****

The Italian and Spanish productions are the most important in Europe. The ...

3.3 Sales in supermarkets and vineyards

The distribution of wines is nowadays mainly done by via traditional channels, on the domestic market or directly on the vineyard.

Source: ****

However, it appears that the traditional distribution channels (***). Thus, **% of the wines sold in the United Kingdom by English winegrowers are not from very large estates. [***]

The two main ...

4 Analysis of the offer

4.1 Sparkling wines on the market

 There is a wide variety of sparkling wines sold on the English market. They can be distinguished by their name: Crémant français, Cava espagnol, Prosecco italien... or by other criteria such as carbon dioxide or sugar content for example. Use the online store of Tesco the largest supermarket chain ...

4.2 Wine tourism allows the English estates to make themselves known

While the brands most purchased in the United Kingdom are imported, English wineries are trying to develop wine tourism in order to:

Develop local consumer interest in English wines Diversify their sources of income

A **** scientific study noted the low involvement of wine estates in attracting tourists, which could help them ...

5 Rules and regulations

5.1 Taxes on sparkling wine

The UK Government summarises the important points that wine producers, importers and sellers in the United Kingdom must respect. [***]

The authorised and mandatory practices during the production of wine are detailed in the european directive ***/**** .

An VI * or VI * is required to transport and store alcohol for commercial purposes within the ...

5.2 Brexit: a threat to the wine industry

In ****, the United Kingdom took the decision to leave the European Union, thereby implying an exit from the single market. This allowed duty-free movement between the United Kingdom and the rest of the EU countries. On ** October ****, the country could leave the European Union, as Boris Johnson recently indicated. [***]

In the ...

6 Positioning of the actors

6.1 Positioning of the actors

  • Concha y Toro
  • Accolade Wines
  • Treasury Wine Estates
  • Giffords Hall
  • Three Choirs
  • Nyetimber
  • Antica Fratta
  • Freixenet
  • Agrovista
  • Lallemand
  • Wolfberger

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Companies quoted in this study

This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :

Concha y Toro
Accolade Wines
Treasury Wine Estates
Giffords Hall
Three Choirs
Nyetimber
Antica Fratta
Freixenet
Agrovista
Lallemand
Wolfberger

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the sparkling wine market | UK

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