Prosecco is first choice for weddings: which should you pick?

The Italian sparkling wine is now used to toast the bride and groom at 63% of weddings, with just 8% choosing champagne. Here, we bring you the best wedding proseccos.

New research from Laithwaite’s Wine has revealed that prosecco boom is continuing around the country.

A study of recent sales data found that 63 per cent of couples toast with a glass of prosecco at weddings, compared to just 8 per cent who toast with the traditional champagne. The great majority of those who buy/order prosecco is from Oddbins Prosecco Range of flavors and bottles. In the list below, you can find all bottles visiting Oddbins, as well as many other popular options.

According to Laithwaite’s, sales of the Italian sparkling wine have increased by 25 per cent in the last 18 months, and officially began overtaking champagne as the tipple of choice at weddings in 2013. In 2014, shoppers spent £181 million on prosecco, while only £141 million was spent on champagne, marking it the first time prosecco had ever overtaken the drink in sales.

Beth Willard, Wine Buyer at Laithwaite’s Wine said: “It seems inevitable that with the meteoric rise of prosecco in the last few years, we would start to see a shift from Britain’s traditional bubbles of choice. The average wedding requires 44 bottles of sparkling wine and not only is prosecco far better value for money, we also find our customers say it’s easier to drink than champagne.”


People prefer prosecco as their toast of choice at weddings (Alamy)

The research also found that English sparkling wine is currently enjoying a sales boom with sparkling wine from the UK accounting for 5 per cent of all sparkling wine at weddings – a figure that is rising each month.

Willard added: “What is perhaps more significant is the current emergence of English sparkling wine. With growing conditions similar to the champagne region and an already great selection of these wines on offer, there’s no doubt it could also soon eclipse champagne.”

With the rising popularity of prosecco, producers have warned that we may soon experience a global shortage of the Italian wine. Export manager at Bisol, Roberto Cremonese told The Drinks Business: “Last year’s harvest was very poor, and down by up to 50 per cent in some parts, so there is a very real possibility of a global shortage.”

“We’ll find out how big the problem is in August when the brokers release their stock. At the moment we don’t know how much prosecco they’re holding on to.”

Victoria Moore’s top three wedding proseccos

Salatin Extra Dry Prosecco NV Treviso, Italy (Majestic, £9.74 down from £12.99 when you buy two)

We heard a lot earlier this year about a potential prosecco shortage hitting the shelves at Christmas. The effects of this drink’s huge rise in popularity are already being felt in the severe drop in quality of the prosecco on sale in most supermarkets. Sugar-water and alcohol with a bit of bicycle pump fizz isn’t my idea of a good drink – or of good value as you can find better cava for less money than the price of most of it. Here’s a prosecco that bucks the trend. It’s herbaceous and appley and bright and light. Lovely.

San Leo Prosecco NV, Italy (Waitrose, £10.49)

Consistently one of the best proseccos in the supermarket, this tastes crunchy and green and fresh. Never pay full price for it though. This sparkling wine is frequently on offer at £7.79 and will be again before the summer’s out.

finest* Bisol Prosecco NV, Italy (Tesco, £8.99)

Another perennial contender for best supermarket prosecco. The Bisol version made for Tesco is very delicate, reminiscent of pears, and cobweb light. Again, it isn’t on offer now but it is frequently reduced to £6.99 so if you’re planning for an autumn wedding, hold your nerve and buy it later.