Pink drink comes of age.

(From Off Licence News)

Incredible as it may seem, the wine market's pink phenomenon is continuing unabated.

We first noticed the increase four years ago, and in 2008 it is still snowbal ling at 30% a year.

RosA wines now account for one in every 10 bottles of the 96 million-case market (up 4%), and if it weren' there the wine market would have only modest growth to report. The trade made shelf space for the expanding pink selection with supermarkets carrying 30 lines or more - twice the number there were in 2005 - and specialists and independents are also offering a much wider choice.

The US pioneered rosA and remains at the forefront, supplying half the 113Amillion bottles we buy, but really all countries have made notable gains. The average price for rosA is AGBP3.93 per 75cl, the same as white and just below the reds. RosAs from France, Italy and Portugal are less expensive, and France is the second-largest supplier to the UK with over a million cases. Italy has seen spectacular growth over the past 12 months, capitalising on that well-known grape Pinot Grigio - now available in pink.

Outside the US, New Worlders have been slow off the mark, but we saw a number of new entries in 2006-7. The real outsider is Germany - rosA has given it the opportunity to show another side to what it can offer, and it has made impressive progress. The lighter alcohol content, typical of German wines, goes in its favour.

Retailers' own -labels make ...