People have spent an extra £100 million on champagne as lockdown restrictions on pubs, restaurants and parties were lifted.
According to The Grocer, UK sales in the 52 weeks to September 11 stood at £388.7 million, up from £294.9 million last year.
The top five champagnes – Moët & Chandon, Bollinger, Veuve Clicquot, Lanson, and Taittinger – increased their sales volumes by double figures.
At 67.8 per cent, Bollinger’s growth was almost twice as fast as any of its rivals.
READ MORE: Lidl champagne beats Moët & Chandon in taste test
The “quality of champagne and the association of celebrating something special has helped sales bounce back” after “a tough couple of years”, Wine & Spirit Trade Association boss Miles Beale said.
“We hope this continues and that the festive spirit gives a similar lift to other quality sparkling products, including English wine.”
It comes after supermarket champagnes saw off established brands and took the top five positions in a Which? taste test.
Waitrose’s “lip-smacking” Blanc de Noirs Brut came out on top, while Lidl’s £12 Veuve Delattre Brut was ranked above a Moët & Chandon three times its price.
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