It’s the moment we all knew would come: the UK has finally reached ‘peak Prosecco’, with annual sales slowing to just 5% growth, according to accountancy group UHY Hacker Young.
The figures follow several years of double-digit growth in the sector and are the smallest increase since 2011. UHY Hacker Young’s spokesperson James Simmonds told Sky News: “Unless the industry can revitalise its image this year, we may now be reaching ‘peak Prosecco’.”
At the same time as Prosecco’s lull, it seems we could also face a Champagne shortage (or at least increased prices) as the French region responsible for producing it was hit by hailstones “the size of pigeons’ eggs” recently, wiping out a lot of grapes equating to roughly £110 million-worth of fizz. So what should we be drinking instead?
Orange wine
Orange wine was touted to be the next big thing in 2016, but like any trend it’s taken a little while to catch on. It’s essentially white wine but the colour is richer as it’s fermented with the grape skins. The colour looks great on Instagram and it goes nicely with tapas - so what’s not to like?
Crémant
Sales of French crémant are currently on the rise in the UK. Earlier this year Waitrose revealed crémant sales were up 72% last year compared to 2016. Majestic wine and Marks and Spencer also saw an increase.
The sparkling wine provides a cheaper alternative to Champagne and is drier than Prosecco. In terms of flavour Katie Smith, wine development specialist at Matthew Clark, says it has “a bit more richness and depth” than Prosecco and the “toasty, biscuity notes you would expect in Champagne”.
Pink gin
Mixed together, Plymouth Gin and Angostura Bitters (which have a dark red colouring) make a delightful pink colour. But what started out as a cocktail of sorts has now become something you can buy in a bottle. According to the Gin Kin, pink gin can vary from brand to brand however the colour is usually down to the ingredients, like rhubarb, raspberry or grapefruit.
Natural wine
Natural wine is where there’s been very little chemical or technological intervention during a wine’s production process, both in terms of how the grapes are grown and how they’re then made into wine - so nothing should be added or removed in the cellar.
Golden rum
Rum sales have passed the £1 billion a year mark for the first time ever, according to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association. Meanwhile data insight experts CGA suggest golden rum will be the next big trend among spirits, overtaking gin in the next few years. Like pink gin, there’s not really a specific formula for what makes golden rum - however The Whisky Exchange suggests it’s generally quite mellow, with more complex spirits benefiting from oak maturation. Bottoms up.