Prosecco sales in Britain have fallen for the first time in a decade as drinkers increasingly opt for other fizzy wines
Prosecco sales in Britain have fallen for the first time in a decade as drinkers increasingly opt for other fizzy wines.
Exports of the sparkling Italian wine fell by seven per cent in the first half of 2018, according to the biggest farming association in the country.
But sales of bottles of English fizz have gone up by seven per cent compared with 2016.
Italian producers are blaming Brexit uncertainty and ‘fake news stories’ about prosecco’s sugar content for the slump in sales, reports The Daily Telegraph.
Last year it was reported that high levels of sugar in Italian bubbly could lead to rotten teeth and hum disease.
Coldiretti, Italy’s largest farming group, said in a new report: ‘The tensions caused by the Brexit negotiations and an increase in duties, but also nationalistic fake news aimed at discrediting Italian sparkling wine, have had an effect on exports.’
Earlier this year it was announced pub chain Wetherspoons, whose boss Tim Martin is a fervent Brexiteer, will stop serving prosecco and champagne, opting instead of UK or non-EU fizzy wines.
Experts claim the decline could also be the result of an inevitable plateau after so many years of growth.
A spokesman from a consortium of prosecco producers in northern Italy’s Veneto region told the newspaper: ‘The market has grown at a great rate and as of last year, the British drank more prosecco than even the Italians.’
Meanwhile British fans of bubbly are choosing the classic French champagne and Spanish cava instead of their old Italian favourite that has been flying off UK shelves for years.
The UK’s record-breaking summer has also meant English fizz has flourished, with winemakers experiencing a bumper grape harvest.
Yesterday it was announced Aldi is launching its own Prosecco, which it says comes without the threat of a pounding headache the following day.
Its organic, extra-dry wine has hit the shelves after fellow budget chain Lidl launched a supposedly hangover-free bottle for £7.99.
Opting for Aldi’s new Prosecco will hit customers’ wallets slightly harder as their current Castellore sells for just £5.99.
Italian producers are blaming Brexit uncertainty and ‘fake news stories’ about prosecco’s sugar content for the slump in sales