UK's New World of Wine

The UK is rapidly becoming a nation of wine drinkers, according to The Drink Pocket Book 2004, published this month. Since 1995, both consumption levels and imports have increased every year, and the volume of wine passed through HM Customs has increased by 55.4%. Brands from the New World and Southern Hemisphere are prominent.

The largest increase in imports is for wines of 13-15% ABV, of which Australia has provided 40%. New World and southern hemisphere wines dominate the top 5 brands in on-licence and off-licence, as identified by ACNielsen, most being from Australia, South Africa or California. Advertising is a key factor - among the top10 wine advertisers only one 'Old World' wine sector is represented - Bordeaux Wines. However, in overall volume sales, French wines lead the way in both off-licence sales (21%) and on-licence sales (40%).

Consumer expenditure on wines has more than doubled since 1995. Women account for 68% of white wine drinkers, but only 52% of red.

WINE DRINKING PROFILE: BY AGE
Penetration of Weekly Drinking, %



Despite the numerous contradictory health warnings bandied about concerning the benefits/disadvantages of regular alcohol consumption, the UK is now consuming more alcohol than ever in other categories too. At the heavy end of the scale, data from the Target Group Index shows that 3.6m people drink one or more measures of vodka a week in 2003, a 160% increase from the 1990 figure of 1.5m (the influx of Russians since that year may be partly responsible, although no figures are yet given for numbers drinking one or more bottles a week - Ed.).

The percentage of teetotallers has decreased since last year but only by 1% - the 16% of people never drinking alcohol in the UK in 2002 is still 4% higher than in 1980. Perhaps surprisingly, younger people are among those increasingly likely to be abstaining from alcohol - the number of teetotallers in the 18-24 group rose by 1% to 12% in 2002 - a 70% increase on the 1980 figure.

Per capita consumption of alcohol has risen by 17% since 1980, increasing consistently throughout.

The Drink Pocket Book 2004 Published on 24th October, price £39.50. More details from sarah.miller@warc.com

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.

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