A total of 5,110,592 bottles of Cava were consumed in France between January and September this year, according to the CRDO. Based on this figure, the CRDO predicted an annual increase in Cava consumption in France of 19.21%.

While the equivalent statistics for Champagne consumption in Spain have not yet been compiled, the number of bottles of Champagne exported to Spain in 2014 was 3,420,322.

“This example is very significant,” Bonet said, “as France is the country that knows best the qualities of sparkling wines. Right now, French consumers are drinking more Cava bottles than Champagne bottles are being bought by Spanish consumers.”

Bonet’s claim came as the CRDO published positive domestic and foreign sales figures for the year to date, which prompted the chairman to express his optimism for Cava sales over the Christmas period.

More than 158 million bottles of Cava have been sold worldwide in the past nine months, according to the CRDO. This represents a 1.7% increase on the same period in 2014.

The figures revealed a positive trend for Cava sales within Spain, thanks to the big increase in sales of Reserva (up 6.25%) and Gran Reserva Cava (up 18%).

Bonet said the industry could be “positive and optimistic”, adding that he expected around 40 million bottles of Cava to be sold worldwide during the Christmas period.

The positive trend was also reflected in foreign markets, with the exception of Belgium and the UK, which showed a slight decline in sales owing to price policies, according to the CRDO.

In Germany, Cava sales are expected to end the year with positive figures. The regulatory board also predicted growth in the US (2.81%) and Canada (9.12%). 

Read more at Source | The Drinks Business