J Sainsbury : Sainsbury's Forecasts Fizz-tive Season

Sainsbury's is forecasting that 23rd December 2017 will be known as 'Sparkling Saturday' as shoppers will buy 489,000 bottles of fizz in a single day. With Christmas Day falling on a Monday, sales are set to 'pop' as shoppers do their final preparations for the big day that weekend.

To get party-goers in the mood, Sainsbury's is opening its first standalone Festive Fizz Bar in Central London, showcasing a range of five different styles of sparkling wine by the glass.

The opportunity could not have come at a better time. As Britain's love for Prosecco continues - accounting for over 65% of Sainsbury's annual fizz sales - it has paved the way for British drinkers to explore alternative sparkling wines, such as Crémant de Loire which is hailed to be the next big thing.

French sparkling wine but without the Champagne price tag, Sainsbury's forecasts 2017 to be the 'year of Crémant'. Made using the same traditional method as Champagne, Sainsbury's Crémant hails from the chalky soils of Saumur in the Loire Valley, where the conditions are perfect for producing a distinctive Blanc de Blancs style. Sainsbury's expects December to be a bumper month for the sparkling newcomer. After a 528% rise in sales in the past year alone, demand has led to the introduction of an impressive magnum, just in time for Christmas.

Elizabeth Newman, Head of Beers, Wines and Spirits at Sainsbury's says: 'While Champagne sales peak at this time of year, the alternative sparkling wine market is really booming. Prosecco continues to be an area of strong growth for us (our Taste the Difference variety is up 23% year on year) but its rise has also opened Brits' eyes to the breadth of sparkling wines out there - from Crémant de Loire, to our English sparkling wine, there really is something for every palate and pocket at Sainsbury's this festive season.'

To celebrate its diverse range of sparkling wines available in-store this Christmas, Sainsbury's is launching the Festive Fizz Bar - a pop-up bar in Central London, where a curated menu of five premium sparkling wines from the Taste the Difference range will be on offer by the glass for temptingly tasty prices. Alongside the bubbles, there will also be a selection of antipasti and charcuterie sharing platters on offer.

Elizabeth Newman concludes: 'Our first pop-up Festive Fizz Bar gives people the opportunity to taste a range of different styles, so they can purchase with confidence.'

Book a space at the Festive Fizz Bar (from 7 - 9 December) via Eventbrite. There will be limited cover for walk-ins and guests are advised to book to avoid disappointment.