Raise a glass to women and wine

Latest research from MINTEL finds wine sales in the UK booming as British women continue their love affair with wine. Between 1999 and 2004 wine sales in the UK grew by over 30%, from £5.8 billion to an estimated £7.6 billion in 2004. The market is expected to grow by the same percentage again by 2009 to reach almost £10 billion. Volume sales of wine have jumped by some 27%, from 837 million litres in 1999 to over one billion litres in 2004. ” The rising numbers of drinkers going out in the week, in particular the more affluent, mid-life singles and the ‘Bridget Jones’ generation of working women with time and money to spare for luxuries such as wine, have undoubtedly played a significant part in boosting sales. Less gassy and fattening than beer, wine is the favourite tipple among women both in and out of the home. The high-end price increases have also helped sustain market growth, ” comments James McCoy, Senior Market Analyst at MINTEL.