Data from the Wine and Spirit Trade Association’s (WSTA) Market Report, out today (11 March), found the total volume sold in the on-trade has shot up 49% in 12 months and increased 53% in the last 12 weeks of this period.
The sparkling wine category includes English sparkling wine, Prosecco and Cava as well as fizz from other countries.
Brits’ love of fizz has meant £709m worth was sold in UK shops and in the last 12 months to January and £348m in bars and restaurants – totalling over £1bn. In pubs alone sparkling wine’s contribution has tasted explosive growth of 270%, worth £95 million, since 2011.
Champagne sales are monitored separately - in the last 12 weeks these have seen a 13% increase in value in bars and restaurants.
Reasons why you should sell fizz
'Fairer deal'
Miles Beale, chief executive at the WSTA, said: “Sparkling wine has once again experienced excellent growth, which is fantastic news for our expanding English wine industry. However the UK has the second highest duty rate and sparkling wine is among the highest taxed alcoholic drinks in the UK and is taxed 28% higher than still.
“This is why we, and many others, are asking for the Chancellor to cut wine and spirits by 2%. Not only would British drinkers get a fairer deal but a cut would bring more revenue to the Exchequer.”
Following a freeze to wine duty at the Budget in March 2015, the latest HMRC figures show that between April 2015 and January 2016 wine has brought an extra £118m to the Treasury.