It’s hard to remember what life was like before the Prosecco sales boom, and just as difficult to predict when it might start to tail off.
You couldn’t really design a wine that ticks more consumer boxes. It’s got bubbles. It’s moderate in alcohol. It’s not too dry. It’s got a name that’s not only pronounceable, but sounds classy. And, most crucially of all, it’s affordable – at least by comparison to the Champagnes that have been elbowed to one side at many a wedding.
In the final instalment of our reader survey analysis, we report that independents still have massive faith in Prosecco’s ability to deliver yet more sales growth. It ties in neatly with similar findings in consumer research carried out by Wine Intelligence.
But keep an eye on English wine. More than half the respondents in the survey say they expect to see it achieve a sales increase in their businesses this year – far more than those predicting growth for Champagne or Cava. The enthusiasm for English wine is reflected in a feature in the new issue in which independents discuss the success they’ve already achieved with domestic fizz – and also the increasingly credible selection of still wines.