The Drinks Business reports that ProWein’s latest Sparkling Report points to a split sparkling wine market, with Champagne down to 266 million bottles sold in 2025, Crémant hitting a record of nearly 123 million bottles, Prosecco still growing, Cava falling sharply, and alcohol-free sparkling wine gaining momentum, especially in Germany.
Sparkling
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ProWein Sparkling Report Confirms Market-Beating Growth
Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News reports that ProWein’s new Sparkling Report points to sparkling wine as a relative bright spot in a difficult global wine market, with growth opportunities linked to premiumisation, alcohol-free sparkling, Prosecco, Crémant and emerging regions including the UK, Hungary and Tasmania. The report says sparkling is benefiting from new consumption occasions and resilient demand, while still wine faces moderation and decline in several markets.
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Graham Beck Launches Its First English Sparkling Wine
Decanter reports that South African Cap Classique producer Graham Beck has released its first traditional-method English sparkling wine, the limited Graham Beck Artisan Collection English Sparkling 2018. The wine is made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grown in Hampshire and West Sussex, will be released in the UK this summer at £45 RRP, and marks a final collaboration involving former cellar master Pieter Ferreira before his retirement.
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EU Defends Champagne and Prosecco Names in Trade Deals
The Drinks Business reports that the EU is treating wine as a red-line issue in trade negotiations, even while offering limited concessions on agricultural imports such as beef and sheep meat. According to its summary of Euronews reporting, Brussels continues to insist on strong protection for geographical indications such as Champagne and Prosecco, with partner countries often required to restrict or phase out those names in export markets. The broader takeaway is that the EU sees wine names tied to origin as strategic commercial assets, not just labelling details.
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US Tariffs Push Restaurants to Rework Wine Lists
Reuters reports that US restaurants, bars and retailers are increasingly swapping out imported Champagne, crémant and other European wines as tariffs bite harder, with one New York buyer seeing some bottles rise by about $3 to $5 and other suppliers warning of increases of up to 20 per cent this year. The agency says many firms held prices down in 2025 by shipping stock early or absorbing costs, but wholesalers now expect those tactics to run out. That is pushing more wine lists towards lower-cost and domestic alternatives, and giving some California brands a relative boost.