UK 'could be reaching peak Prosecco'

Sales of sparkling wine have continued to increase but at a slower rate, suggesting the UK could be approaching "peak Prosecco", says a report.

Research by accountancy group UHY Hacker Young found that 35.8 million gallons of sparkling wine was sold last year, an increase of 5% on the previous 12 months.

But the increase was the smallest since 2011, amid a rising cost of imports from Italy and France because of sterling's weakness, according to the report.

UHY Hacker Young suggested that Prosecco may be suffering from brand overexposure through overstocking at supermarkets.

Spokesman James Simmonds said: "A 5% increase in sales is not at all bad but that comes after several years of double-digit growth.

"Unless the industry can revitalise its image this year, we may now be reaching 'peak Prosecco'.

"It is hard for a luxury product to make the leap into the mass market without losing its reputation for exclusivity.

"A lot of English wine producers are now vying to capture the space left, as Prosecco moves to the mainstream."