Britain has become the world’s biggest consumer of imported wine and wine drinking is expected to grow over the next four years despite the economic downturn – according to research released by VINEXPO and the IWSR. Research shows that the UK became the biggest importer of still and sparkling light wine by volume in 2007 when imports reached 135.8 million 9-litre cases. By 2012 total consumption of still and sparkling wine is forecast to reach 155 million 9 litre cases.Globally, production of wine will increase by 4% from 2007 to 2012 and the top three producing countries are France, Italy and Spain – accounting for 52.58% of production.Global wine consumption is set to increase by 14.07% between 2003 and 2012.VINEXPO chief executive Robert Beynat said: “This is up on our last calculations because 2007 was a good year. “New consumers and new countries are entering the market.”Beynat said that by 2012 the US is to become the biggest consumer in terms of volume. The current top three still light wine consuming countries are Italy, France and the US. Research also suggested that globally speaking, “the world is drinking more wine and the world is drinking better wine,” Beynat added.The current top three consumers of still light wine by value are the US, UK and France. Russia is expected to become the sixth largest consumer by value, by 2012.Global consumption for the spirits market is also set to increase by 2012, albeit at a much slower rate. Local spirits, vodka and brandy take the top three spots.

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