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Britons spend more on prosecco than champagne for the first time Britons spend more on prosecco than champagne for the first time
(35 minutes later)
Britons spent more on prosecco in supermarkets than on champagne for the first time last year, according to new figures.Britons spent more on prosecco in supermarkets than on champagne for the first time last year, according to new figures.
The market researchers Kantar said shoppers spent £181.8m on the Italian sparkling wine in 2014, compared with £141.3m on champagne.The market researchers Kantar said shoppers spent £181.8m on the Italian sparkling wine in 2014, compared with £141.3m on champagne.
Related: Prosecco row bubbles up over wine sold on tap
The volume of prosecco sold doubled to 28m bottles, more than the 17.3m bottles of cava and 8.7m of champagne put together.The volume of prosecco sold doubled to 28m bottles, more than the 17.3m bottles of cava and 8.7m of champagne put together.
Prosecco sells for an average of £6.49 a bottle, compared with £16.23 for champagne, according to Kantar. Prosecco sales have grown rapidly in the past five years from 2.3m bottles in 2009.Prosecco sells for an average of £6.49 a bottle, compared with £16.23 for champagne, according to Kantar. Prosecco sales have grown rapidly in the past five years from 2.3m bottles in 2009.
Experts suggest that the popularity of prosecco means it risks becoming a generic term for any sparkling wine that is not champagne.Experts suggest that the popularity of prosecco means it risks becoming a generic term for any sparkling wine that is not champagne.
Related: Naked Wines founder takes charge of Majestic Wine after £70m deal
The trend to sell the fizz on tap in British bars has incensed its Italian producers, who claim the practice is illegal under 2009 EU rules that set strict guidelines over how it can be sold, similar to those that determine which wines can legitimately be called champagne.The trend to sell the fizz on tap in British bars has incensed its Italian producers, who claim the practice is illegal under 2009 EU rules that set strict guidelines over how it can be sold, similar to those that determine which wines can legitimately be called champagne.
“For the British consumer we say if they want to drink a real prosecco they have to open a bottle, because prosecco can only be sold in the bottle,” said Giancarlo Vettorello, the director of the Consorzio di Conegliano Valdobbiadene, one of the main consortiums of prosecco producers.“For the British consumer we say if they want to drink a real prosecco they have to open a bottle, because prosecco can only be sold in the bottle,” said Giancarlo Vettorello, the director of the Consorzio di Conegliano Valdobbiadene, one of the main consortiums of prosecco producers.