Joe Duggan (Reporter)
IT used to be Granny’s favourite Christmas tipple, but UK drinkers are calling time on Spanish sherry.
British sales of fortified wines have more than than halved in the last decade.
The number of bottles sold has plummeted from 22 million in 2005 to just 10 million last year, according to The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).
Miles Beale, chief executive of the WSTA, called for a tax cut on imported wine.
“Whether it’s the sherry shared as an aperitif or left out for Santa, a port to accompany the cheese course at the end of Christmas lunch or vermouth shaken or stirred in a classic martini – these drinks have been enjoyed by the British for centuries,” he said.
“It would be incredibly sad to see the British traditions associated with these drinks, which have been passed down through the generations, disappear.”
Fortified wine duty has risen by 53% since 2007, adding a pound to a bottle of sherry.
However, fine sherries like fino and manzanilla have seen their popularity grow among British younger drinkers in recent years.
Sainsbury’s reported that sales of premium sherries were up 14% from last year.
Put some money into advertising in the UK. Sherry is an under rated drink, in fact it’s completely off the radar in the UK. Pity.
‘Fortified wine duty has risen by 53% since 2007, adding a pound to a bottle of sherry.’
I believe this was done in order to discourage abusive and binge drinking by alcoholics, it doesn’t seem to have worked much, the English still drink like fish! Although the tipple may have changed, it seems that their behaviour hasn’t…..sadly.
No fair on the Brits. The life expectancy in Russia is somewhere in the forties, directly due to booze. They even drink liquid meant to add to a bath. Sixty-odd unfortunates recently died from drinking this stuff that had been faked using methanol. Sherry, apart from fino/manzanilla, simply doesn’t appeal to modern taste. It certainly isn’t a cheap option for lushes. Fortified wine nuts tended to go for Aussie White, or Red Biddy from Yates’s Wine Lodge in days gone by, rather than sherry.
Top sherry? La Ina fino, from Pedro Domecq in Jerez.
Nice generalisation there Bob. Here, I will have a go. The Spanish are all lazy and ride around on donkeys.
It’s not a matter of generalisation Pete, it’s a matter of fact.
Go to any hospital or hospice in the UK and you find they are riddled with sick or dying alcoholic people, great.
In fact there are very few English people I have ever encountered, who have been fortunate enough to not have had any friends or family members have terrible addictions and battles with alcohol.