-
Top selling English wines include Ridgeview Fitzrovia Rose and Nyetimber Classic Cuveé Multi Vintage (37.5cl) +103% and +109% in the last year
-
Sales of English wine +10%, with English sparkling & rosé driving sales compared to this time last year
-
Fuelled by the ‘buy British’ trend, customers are looking to buy local more than ever
As English Wine Week gets underway and the England team is back on our TVs for the World Cup, Waitrose reports a major surge in sales across English wine. This retail boom is being fuelled by a combination of local loyalty and the 'buy British' trend, alongside a significant leap in premium wine quality partly driven by shifting global temperatures.
Britain's wine industry is booming in terms of production, with WineGB declaring 2025 an exceptional year (the harvest being up a staggering 39% year on year).*
In the last year, sales at Waitrose for:
-
English wine sales +10%, driven by sparkling and rosé wines
-
English sparkling +15%
-
English rosé Wine +14%
Top selling English wine in the last year at Waitrose include:
-
Ridgeview Fitzrovia Rose +103%
Emma Penman, English Wine Buyer at Waitrose says: "Locality has become a major driving force for our shoppers, with people increasingly looking to buy English wines. We see a real sweet spot where sales spike within a 20-mile radius of the vineyard. A brilliant example is Camel Valley Cornwall Brut; our Truro store is just 25 miles away from the vines, and it sells 2.4 times more than our second best selling branch. Our customers are passionate about supporting home-grown businesses, and because English fizz can offer fantastic quality and value for money compared to other traditional method sparkling wines, it's a win-win."
While the 'buy British' movement is huge, the growing quality of English wine is also driving its significant growth.
Alexandra Mawson, Sparkling Wine Buyer at Waitrose says: "English sparkling is how England made our name in the wine scene, but recent brilliant vintages have truly cemented it as a top-tier fizz option. What’s exciting now is the sheer breadth of style innovation. For instance, our Waitrose Leckford Estate Blanc de Blancs Vintage is 100% Chardonnay and a total steal at £35. We’re also seeing beautiful seasonal innovations in packaging too, such as Nyetimber’s limited-edition summer Rosé which is hitting shelves right now - it tastes like summer fruits in a glass. This gives wine lovers fantastic new options right on their doorstep."
Due to shifting global temperatures, southern England now enjoys the ideal climate that Champagne had in the 1970s and 80s.
Alexandra continues, "England is producing such premium, super-quality sparkling wine right now - the best of which absolutely rival Champagne and often offer better value. Interestingly, southern England now enjoys the ideal climate that Champagne had back in the 1970s and 80s. Our slightly cooler British weather means the grapes stay on the vine longer and ripen slowly, which lets them develop these deep, complex fruit flavours while keeping that vibrant, crisp acidity you need for great quality fizz."
Notes to Editors
*WineGB reference
About Waitrose
Waitrose is the Home of Food Lovers, serving customers with exceptional quality products and expert service.
Part of the John Lewis Partnership - the UK’s largest employee-owned business - Waitrose has 320 shops and a strong online business. It also has agreements with brands like Welcome Break and Shell, further bolstering its local footprint.
It works closely with British farmers and suppliers, and is a market-leader for animal welfare and responsible sourcing - using sustainable farming methods, including on its very own farm, the Leckford Estate.
Waitrose has 800 specialist counters across its shops, and holds a Royal Warrant as Grocer and Wine & Spirits Merchant to His Majesty King Charles III.
