Sparkling wine sellers raise a glass as sales of fizz soar by 80 per cent in last five years
BRITISH sparkling wine sellers are raising a glass after sales soared by 80 per cent in the last five years.
Around 31.6million gallons of fizz including Prosecco and Cava were sold last year.
The majority is imported from France, Spain and Italy — but more is now being produced at home.
Last year saw the opening of 37 new wine producers and vineyards to meet demand.
The sparkling wine total is up from 17.6million gallons in 2011/12, said accountancy group UHY Hacker Young, which looked at HM Revenue & Customs figures.
They did not include Champagne.
The firm’s James Simmonds said they were a “great boost” for English producers.
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He added: “The growing success is encouraging more growers to the market.
“It’s uncertain what will happen after Brexit to UK imports of Prosecco and Champagne.
“But English sparkling wine is already a viable alternative.”
Cava and Prosecco are two of the most popular types, with many bottles at less than £10.
The summer favourite was so in demand in May, Brits were panic-buying in shortage fears.
And earlier this month, an English sparkling vintage — Nyetimber, Classic Cuvee, 2010 — appeared for the first time on fine wine trading platform Liv-ex, priced at £120.
