Sales of UK-made sparkling wine have risen, according to new data from the Office of National Statistics.
There are almost 500 vineyards operating in England and Wales, yet English wine accounts for just a small percentage of total wine sales in the UK. However, it seems the summer sun has impacted on consumer behaviour, with sales of UK-produced sparkling wine more than doubling from £2.9 million in 2010 to £6 million in 2014.
In the same report, it was found that consumers’ drinking habits in the hot weather had also shifted towards craft beers and fruit ciders, many of which are also brewed in the UK. Sales of UK-made cider, perry and mead grew by 59% from 2010 to 2014.
