Sparkling wines: a diversification opportunity?

The rising trend of sparkling wine sales to the detriment of champagne presents a real opportunity for wine producers.

In the United Kingdom, for example, sales of sparkling wines in hypermarkets and supermarkets grew by 10% in volume and 23% in value over January and February. This comes at a time when the fall in Champagne sales is confirmed.

The sparkling wine segment seems to represent a good opportunity for diversification.

Amongst recent initiatives, we can mention the launch of a Chilean sparkling wine produced from a local grape variety, Cepa Pais.

It is worth considering whether Miguel TORRES, who, amongst others, is behind this new wine, did not base this on the trend among consumers to seek alternatives to Champagne. Especially in this period of crisis.

The use of a local grape variety is an opportunity for producers to develop through new sparkling wines, made with other grape varieties than those generally used for this type of wine.

At the recent International Sparkling Wine Symposium held in Denbies (Surrey - UK) on March 18, Dee Blackstock, head buyer for Waitrose, gave her analysis.

She pointed out, based on figures supplied by the Nielsen agency, that sales of sparkling wines had increased by over 50% in value. Champagne sales fell by 35% in volume and 24% in value over the last four weeks (mid-February - mid-March 2009).

"Currently, in the City, you don’t see anyone drinking out of a flute glass. It’s only beer or table wine”, she added.

Dee Blackstock underlines that a "large number of table wine producers have successfully launched sparkling wines." She hoped that "the same thing doesn’t happen as in the last British crisis of 1991 when we cut 18 champagne brands from the list of suppliers".

Sources :
 www.diariodelvino.com - March 31, 2009
 www.harpers.co.uk - March 30, 2009

Photo : www.diariodelvino.com