While the economic climate continues to indicate a term of positive prosperity, prospects for the continued sale of luxury goods are positive. Sales of champagne and sparkling wines saw an increase as a result of the year 2000 Millennium celebrations, with volumes at all-time high as people made the most of the event. Consumers are becoming better informed about wines in general and there is a definite trading up in terms of quality in the champagne market. Gone are the days of crude, carbonated products even in the own-label sector, where a retailer's brand also provides an assurance of quality. Also, with the growth of the champagne grey market, are retailers and wholesalers still bound by the supply and pricing restrictions of the UK shippers?

How has the consumer's opinion changed towards the adopting table wines from the New World?

What influence will the internet have on the market in the future?

Is there renewed life beyond the Millennium celebrations?

The retail industry's push to provide the more discerning consumer with good quality, value-for-money goods means that more drink is being consumed at home. The volumes of both champagne and sparkling wines have been growing and consumers have been drinking increasing amounts thanks to the wider availability of the products, increased influence and a thriving UK economy. What are producers more concerned about, sales volume or prices, and can the on-trade increase the amount consumers actually buy still further? Champagne and Other Sparkling Wine analyses the current state of the UK market, including the influence of New World sparkling wines, and makes recommendations for the future.