Prosecco sales have overtaken Champagne at many liquor retailers during 2023, with the sparkling wine predicted to dominate New Year’s Eve celebrations in Australia.

Coles data has revealed 43% of Aussies are “looking for bargains more than usual” with sales for bottles in the $15 to $20 price range up almost 2o%. The retailer is projected to sell 35,000 bottles of prosecco on New Year’s Eve at Liquorland, First Choice Liquor Market and Vintage Cellars stores, and 25,000 bottles of Champagne.

Coles Liquor General Manager Customer Loyalty Mia Lloyd told the Herald Sun that with the majority of Australians looking to save money this New Year’s Eve, many customers are switching to prosecco or sparkling wine.

“For those looking to ring in the new year without breaking the budget, I would recommend the Jardiniere Blanc de Blancs Brut which is a delicious French sparkling that offers an energetic, dry finish for just $15, or the Brilla prosecco for $16,” she said.

It’s a similar story for the independents, with Metcash noted during its HY24 results earlier this month that higher cost of living pressures had led to more shoppers switching to lower priced value choices, while the wholesaler had also seen strong growth in owned and exclusive liquor brands.

Metcash is the largest supplier of liquor to independently owned liquor retailers such as Cellarbrations, The Bottle-O and IGA Liquor.

For those seeking to save money on New Year’s Eve, Dan Murphy’s Head of Fine Wine Andrew Shedden told the Australian Financial Review there was “definitely a lot more to the world of sparkling wine than just Champagne”.

“Australian consumers should be comfortable knowing that when you’re buying one of the great Australian sparkling wines, you’re now buying one of the great sparkling wines of the world,” he said.

He said Oakridge’s Ovata (at $29.99) was a good buy, alongside Pirie Sparkling NV at $30 and Tasmania’s Arras Brut Elite at $45.

“Ovata is a brand new sparkling project out of the Yarra Valley with winemaker Teresa Heuzenroeder working closely with the recently announced number one winery in the country, Oakridge,” Shedden said.

“At a time when the price of champagne is becoming increasingly unaffordable to many, this is incredibly good value.”

Shedden also offered recommendations on Italian and Australian proseccos between $15 and $30, including Santa Margherita Prosecco di Valdobbiadene at $23 and Dal Zotto’s Pucino Prosecco or Pizzini Prosecco, both from the King Valley in Victoria.

He also recommended Spain’s Freixenet Elyssia Gran Cuvee Brut cava at $25.

Meanwhile over at ALDI, customers can purchase South Point Estate Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir, which picked up a double gold medals at the Melbourne International Wine Competition both in 2021 and 2022, for just $5.99.

ALDI wine expert Jason Bowyer told The Daily Mail: “Sparkling is the most diverse range in our wine category, with drops from Aussie wine-makers produced in the South Eastern region to classic Champagne from France for under $40 a bottle. There is certainly a bottle for any occasion this holiday season.”

He also recommends Veuve Olivier French Sparkling Wine, $8.99, which won gold at the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge from 2018-2022, while the $15.99 Vallée Des Secrets Sparkling Cuvée has won gold, silver and commended medals at a number of national and international competitions, including the International Wine Challenge. 

“It is French sparkling charm all the way,” Bowyer said.

Warning for bubbles fans

Champagne fans are being urged to be careful when popping bottles of bubbles, with experts warning corks could launch at up to 80km/h.

The new research by University of Cambridge’s Department of Ophthalmology Ethan Waisberg and colleagues, published in the BMJ revealed the pressure in a 750ml bottle of champagne or sparkling wine is about three times that of a standard car tyre.

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