However, Daniel Spinath, co-founder of UK prosecco supplier Frizzenti disagrees:
“It’s true that grape production last year was lower than what was expected, therefore we will see less prosecco available, but I don’t think we’ll see a shortage.
“In the mid-term we could see some increase in price, because some people reading these articles may use it as a pretext for raising prices, but Frizzenti will not be doing that.
“We need to wait until October when the next lot of grapes come up to see what happens but I don’t anticipate a huge price hike”
The scare was sparked by an interview by trade magazine the Drinks Business with Roberto Cremonese, export manager of prosecco producer Bisol.
Cremonese said: “Last year’s harvest was very poor, and down by up to 50% in some parts, so there is a very real possibility of a global shortage.”
“We’ll find out how big the problem is in August when the brokers release their stock. At the moment we don’t know how much Prosecco they’re holding on to.”
Message
The message is clear for prosecco stockists, don’t panic yet. Both Spinath and Cremonese stressed that while grape production is down, this may not actually affect prosecco availability, as most suppliers will have stocked up in advance for the summer.
If the worst was to happen and prosecco does become harder to come by, there are several alternatives available. Spanish Cava is priced similarly to prosecco but has fallen behind the Italian fizz in popularity, but could make a big comeback if prosecco were to increase in price.
English sparkling wine has also seen resurgence with 2014 seeing a bumper grape harvest and English producers picking up 14 gold medals in the International Wine challenge. English sparkling is great for pubs that focus on locally sourced food and drink and if marketed well can be a great seller.
Sales of prosecco have skyrocketed since the recession as drinkers look to have a premium bubbly drink like champagne without the price tag.
Freixinet reported in 2014 that 44% of adults drink some form of sparkling wine, with the category growing 65% year on year and is worth a whopping £521m.
The category is expected to keep growing with Bisol predicting that by 2035 global demand for prosecco will exceed a billion bottles.