Australia is the most popular wine in the UK off-trade, while France tops on-trade sales, according to the Wine & Spirit Trade Association Market Report

Australia topped off-trade volumes with 1.56 million hectolitres - down 7% in the last 12 months to November 10, 2012. Value dropped 3% to £1.054bn but the amount people paid for a bottle rose 4% to £5.06.

In the on-trade, France was down 6% in volume terms to 457,000 hectolitres and down 2% in value to £1.197bn. The average bottle price was £19.62.

Second and third in the off-trade were Italy and the US, while France was down in fourth position with just over 1 million hectolitres. Spain, in fifth place, saw the largest volume and value growth at 16% and 18% respectively.

Italy and Australia were second and third to France in on-trade sales but both slipped in volume and value compared to the same period last year.

White wine made up 54% of volume and value sales in the on-trade - worth £2.02bn for 961,000 hectolitres and it also took the lion’s share of 46% in the off-trade - worth £2.4bn for 3.73 million hectolitres.

Off-trade red sales accounted for 42% of the market by volume and value, while rose volume and value was 12%. In the on-trade, red wine’s volume sales accounted for 35% and value 36% of the market. Rosé was 11% volume and 10% value.

Other findings:

• According to consumer research conducted by YouGov in November 2012, red wine (19%), lager (17%) and white wine (16%) are drunk most often by British adults.
• Average monthly spend on alcohol has remained fairly static compared to November 2011 at £32, with red wine drinkers spending most (£43 per month). (YouGov)
  
• Over the last 10 years sparkling wine showed the most growth, up 58%; followed by cider 57%; still wine 24%; spirits 15%, according to HMRC volume data collected between 2001 and 2011.
• Between August 2010 and 2012, sparkling wine has continued to be the top performing category with 4% growth in MAT (HMRC).