For the first time, English sparkling wine has climbed two places to become Britain's fourth best selling fizz, selling 3.4m bottles to the UK market in 2016. The Wine & Spirit Trade Association's annual market overview also revealed that prosecco is still the most popular sparkling wine in the UK, with 85m bottles sold in 2016, and champagne remains in second having sold 31m bottles. CE of the WSTA Miles Beale said: "Jumping two places to the UK's fourth favourite fizz is another amazing achievement for English wine. Production is small compared to more established winemaking regions, but the quality of English wine is shining through. Wine lovers have woken up to the fact that English sparkling wine is a premium product, which tastes great and compete with the best." English sparkling wine sales were up 11% in 2015 and grew a further 8% in 2016. This trend is expected to continue as vineyards expand and more wine comes on the market.
