Brits to consume 114 glasses of bubbly per minute this Jubilee weekend

This Bank Holiday weekend, the nation is expected to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with an impressive 114 glasses of bubbly per minute, according to predictions from the UK’s largest specialist wine retailer, Majestic. And, it’s English Sparkling – not French or Italian – which is set to dominate.

With 110,000 total bottles of sparkling expected to be picked up by thirsty revellers across the nation from 2nd to 5th June, in terms of bubbly consumed, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee outdrinks Kate & William’s Royal Wedding back in 2011 by 23,000 bottles, making it a 26 percent increase – and Harry & Meghan’s marriage in 2018 by 43,000 bottles, a 64 percent increase.

2022 is already proving to be a year of fizz, with sales growing at Majestic as rapidly as the nation gets back together for weddings and parties. Key trends are emerging and expected to continue with English Fizz being the standout performer. Sales are already up by over 58 percent like for like, and for the first time ever, a home-grown fizz (the delicious Nyetimber Classic Cuvée) is expected to top the best-sellers chart.

Majestic predicts that, overall, one in ten people will celebrate the Jubilee with English fizz – something unimaginable 70 years ago when the Queen first took to the throne (when the English wine industry didn’t exist). That could amount to over 2.6m bottles of English Sparkling Wine opened across the country, which is enough to fill an entire Olympic Swimming Pool.

It’s a mixed picture across the nation, however. Sales of Prosecco are set to be the most popular in Scotland (one in four glasses), according to Majestic’s extensive customer research. The Home Counties will be the top English Sparkling drinkers, whilst London is four times more likely to pop a cork than the rest of the UK and expected to consume the most Champagne and fizz per minute, at 860 flutes (or coups) per minute over the four-day weekend. Meanwhile, in the West Country, celebrators are more likely to go for Cremant and Cava.

Thanks to strong stock levels ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend, Majestic is able to fulfil large quantity orders. For patriotic parties across the nation, Majestic’s free glass and flute hire takes the hassle out of hosting. Revellers can enjoy quality glassware free of charge with just a £1 deposit per glass, to be fully refunded when returned ready for use. To arrange free glass and flute hire, place an order through a local store.

Majestic’s top picks for a jubilant celebration:

1. Nyetimber Classic Cuvvé (12 percent ABV), £27.99 mix six / £41.99 single bottle – From the first person to be awarded Sparkling Winemaker of the Year outside of Champagne, expect delicate bubbles and flavours of almond, pastry, lemon tart and baked apples.
2. Laurent-Perrier ‘La Cuvée’ Brut Champagne (12 percent ABV), £31.99 mix six / £44.99 single bottle – A fresh fizz made predominantly from Chardonnay and a popular choice for discerning champagne fans, with a character of white blossom, citrus, and peach, and delicate toasty notes.

3. Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne (12 percent ABV), £36.99 mix six / £49.99 single bottle – Veuve Clicquot’s signature Brut, with biscuity and toasty flavours. Ripe and zingy notes of citrus balance a rich and decadent profile.

4. La Gioiosa Prosecco DOC (11 percent ABV), £8.99 mix six / £11.99 single bottle – Hailing from Treviso, these lively bubbles are refreshing with notes of white blossom, pear, and peachy stone fruit, making it the perfect apéritif or party wine.

5. Graham Beck Brut (12 percent ABV), £11.99 mix six / £16.99 single bottle- Affectionately known as the ‘President’s Choice,’ because it was served at both Nelson Mandela’s inauguration and Barack Obama’s presidential win. This fizz is fresh, with limey citrus flavours, married with creamy, brioche richness from a second fermentation in the bottle.

6. Cotswolds Platinum Jubilee Gin (46 percent ABV), £35 – Exclusive to Majestic and inspired by tastes of the iconic British dessert Eton Mess. Bursting with notes of strawberry, raspberry & Madagascan vanilla alongside a hint of citrus and pink pepper, it’s the perfect tipple for celebrating the event.