The year 2023 wraps up on a high note for Italian sparkling wines offerings, boasting the sale of 936 million bottles. While this figure reflects stability compared to the prior year, it's essential to underscore a remarkable 24% surge from 2019 - a clear indicator of sustained global admiration. Notably, between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, around 333 million Italian bottles were popped open worldwide.

The data released by the UIV-ISMEA Observatory not only affirm the positive trend but also unveil a change in consumer behavior. Italian sparkling wines come with a higher average price this year, with price lists seeing an increase of over 5%, driven by inflation and rising production costs. Consequently, economic considerations have played a role in shaping the 2023 sales landscape, as consumers lean towards products with more affordable price tags, resulting in a slight dip for the traditionally esteemed labels.

Consumers, indeed, have opted for more affordable sparkling wines, such as those produced using the Charmat method, with an estimated 206 million bottles (+7.5%). Simultaneously, for prestigious Italian denominations like Asti Spumante and Prosecco (Doc, Conegliano Valdobbiadene, Colli Asolani), along with wines produced using the classic method, a contraction of 3% has been projected, with an estimated 727 million bottles.

Hence, as per the 2023 forecasts by ISMEA and the Italian Wine Union (UIV), the marketing of Italian sparkling wine is set at 936 million bottles, thanks in part to the increased production of non-PDO sparkling varieties, with 70% of the output destined for international markets. Over the past decade, global sales of Italian sparkling wine have tripled, demonstrating remarkable growth in value, such as 351% in the United States (the primary buyer), and substantial increases in other key markets like the United Kingdom (+350%), Germany (+42%), France (+416%), and the emerging Eastern European market, notably in Poland with a remarkable surge in demand (+983%).

In summary, considering the global market data, the outlook for Italian sparkling wine appears optimistic despite ongoing economic challenges. The industry has showcased remarkable adaptability to the ever-shifting consumer preferences by offering high-quality products. Its flexibility has proven to be a crucial factor in the sector's success, propelling it towards continued growth and prosperity in the years ahead.

Italian dominance in the sparkling wine market is also a result of wise choices made by loyal consumers, who have displayed a strong attachment to the product. Rather than giving up on this indulgence, they prefer to adopt a more budget-conscious purchasing approach.