Is wine taking over from beer as the Brits' favourite drink

by Nicola Shepherd

�

Until ten years ago Britain was a nation of beer-drinkers. Since then beer consumption has fallen from 140 litres per person per year to 120 litres, and wine consumption has risen from 16 litres to 24 litres.

�

What is our favourite wine

It is the Australian wine producers who have seduced us and, if a recent consumer report is to be believed, are set�this year to topple the French as number one exporters of wine to Britain.

�

What has happened to our passion for French wine

In 1988, 37% of the wine drunk in the UK was French and only 1.5% Australian. In twelve years the French share of that market has declined to 24%, the Austrlian share risen to 20%, and it's heading higher again at the expense of the French.

�

But why is this

It's not as if French wine has suddenly become poor. It is as good as it ever was. But our tastes have become more sophisticarted, we are a nation of wine drinkers now. We are more adventurous and we have been seduced by the strong brands and simplicity of presentation of New World wines, not to the mention the excellent and reliable quality. The Australians have just got the brand recognition so spot on with their consistently good quality wines that they have left the French standing.

�

Can the French make a come back

Wine expert and author of Superplonk, Malcolm Gluck, thinks the French will have their day again, though. They are just taking time to regroup and rethink. After all the best weapon in the French armoury is the wine itself.