Are people in the UK developing more of an interest and enjoyment in wine?

Hi felicity32:

Thanks for the interesting question. All sign point to the answer to
your question being "Yes, people in the UK developing more of an
interest and enjoyment in wine."

First of all, some basic consumption stats:

The Win and Spirits Association reports that consumption of all sorts
of wine (with the exception of coolers) is up in the last year.
Overall "Wine of Fresh Grape" consumption is up almost 10% over a year
ago.

WSA WINE DATA SHEET - March 2005
URL: http://www.go-e2.co.uk/WSA_II/english2/statistics.html

The National Statistic have data for 2000 - 2003 that shows a marked
increase in fresh grape wines that certainly back up this increased
interest and consumption:

PRODUCT SALES and TRADE - PRA 15930 - Wines - 2003
URL: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_commerce/PRA-20030/PRA15930_20030.pdf
Note: See page 7 specifically.

OK, so the cold hard figures show that consumption is up - so one
would believe that interest must also be up. I also searched for more
"subjective" information on the subject. I tried to get a good
cross-section of opinions from academic to corporate to private.

Pubs under pressure from wine (5th October 2004)
URL: http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/food/s/132/132625_pubs_under_pressure_from_wine.html
Quote: "THE growing popularity of wine is putting pressure on the
traditional British pub, according to a report published today.
Wine consumption per person in the UK has risen from 14 litres a year
in 1998 to 16.6 litres last year, market analyst Datamonitor found."

Wine tours get luxury treatment
URL: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,20969-1560971,00.html
Quote: "The popularity of wine-based holidays has encouraged some tour
operators to include them in their programmes. Rainbow Tours, for
example, offers the Grapes of the Cape, a two-centre holiday based at
Constantia Uitsig, a working wine farm and luxury hotel, and at Grande
Roche in Paarl, with guided tours and gourmet meals."

Pubs under pressure from wine
URL: http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/food/s/132/132625_pubs_under_pressure_from_wine.html
Quote: "THE growing popularity of wine is putting pressure on the
traditional British pub, according to a report published today.
Wine consumption per person in the UK has risen from 14 litres a year
in 1998 to 16.6 litres last year, market analyst Datamonitor found."

Wine Studies
URL: http://www.corporate.coventry.ac.uk/cms/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1083
Quote: "The increased popularity of wine in the UK has led to an
increase in demand for wine knowledge and understanding from consumers
and from wine professionals seeking to provide a quality service to
their customers."

Even Interbrew's Annual Report show the trend:

MARKET REPORT 2004 - seeing beer in a new light
URL: http://www.interbrewmarketreport.co.uk/2004/iuk2004.pdf
Quote: "The popularity of wine and RTDs which is impacting on beer and
cider. Some 47% of consumers drink wine monthly - the same percentage
that drinks beer. However, in 1990 the percentages were 48%
for beer and 40% for wine which underlines the shift in consumer drinking habits."
Note: Quote is from page 26.

I hope this answers your question for you. If you require further
clarification, please let me know what specifically you are looking.

Search Strategy (on Google):
* wine statistics site:.uk
* wine "growing popularity" site:.uk
* wine "increased popularity" site:.uk
* "wine bars" popularity site:.uk
* "wine bars" popular site:.uk
* wine "more popular" site:.uk
* "wine tours" popular site:.uk

websearcher

Very quick and informative