Overseas buyers turn to English Sparkling Wine this Festive Season

• Exports for Nyetimber grew more than 90% in 2020, an extraordinary feat given international sales were halted from March through July and again in November due to the challenges presented by the pandemic
• Special Christmas themed window displays debut in the Netherlands and Japan, key growth markets for the brand
• In 2020, exports to Scandinavia grew 141%, to Europe by 109%, and to Asia by 30%

WEST SUSSEX –  11 December 2020: Exports for Nyetimber grew more than 90% in 2020, allowing a growing number of consumers in countries including Japan, the Netherlands and Denmark to celebrate Christmas with the pre-eminent English Sparkling Wine. The exponential growth is a feat made all the more extraordinary given the challenges the pandemic has presented. As a result of global lockdowns caused by the virus, international exports from the U.K. were halted from March through July, and again in November, yet Nyetimber’s 2020 worldwide sales have thrived.

Nyetimber expects to produce around one million bottles of sparkling wine in 2020. Approximately 10% of the stock will be exported.

In Denmark, Nyetimber wines had previously only been available at on-trade outlets such as restaurants, bars and hotels. As of this month, Nyetimber is now available at select HJ Hansen / Vinspecialisten stores across Denmark, with a marketing campaign focused on the run up to Christmas.  This new off-trade distribution will increase Nyetimber’s profile and brand presence in a key export market. In Finland, Nyetimber launched in on trade outlets this September, with off trade distribution via Alko beginning this month. In 2020, exports to Scandinavia grew 141%.

In the Netherlands, Nyetimber is available in both the on-trade and off-trade outlets. This Christmas will see seven Nyetimber window displays in De Gouden Ton stores across the Netherlands, including two in Amsterdam.

In Japan, Nyetimber has seen strong demand since its launch in November 2019. With wide availability across on and off-trade establishments, it is a key focus market for the brand in Asia. Window displays featuring Nyetimber amidst a winter scene are now showcased at Matsuya (Ginza), one of the country’s foremost luxury department stores in Tokyo. Nyetimber is the best-selling English Sparkling Wine brand in Japan.

Eric Heerema, CEO and Owner of Nyetimber said: “In a year where international sales were paused for several months due to the pandemic, Nyetimber has seen its exports grow by more than 90% in 2020. This spectacular export increase reflects the growing global consumer demand for English sparkling wine, and it is a joy to see people from all over the world toasting the festive season with Nyetimber.”

Nyetimber, and the English Sparkling Wine industry in general, continues to be a UK success story. In 2019, total production of English Sparking Wine was 7.7 million bottles. In terms of sales, 3.7 million bottles were sold in 2019, an increase of 70% over the prior year – and international sales accounted for 10% of this. The total area under vine in the UK now stands at 3,579 hectares, up 83% since 2015. Nyetimber expects to sell two million bottles a year by 2030.