As the warmer weather begins to emerge in the UK, Sainsbury’s has seen a 58% increase in French rosé sales in the past four weeks, and received bumper sales this weekend with temperatures hitting up to 23 degrees.

Sainsbury’s sells over 15 million bottles of rosé every year and to keep up with the demand, it has launched eight new bottles to add to the current range. Now stocking a 63-strong range, Sainsbury’s is one of the biggest retailers of rosé on the high street.

• Data from Sainsbury’s shows that paler styles from Bordeaux and Provence drove a 24% growth in French rosé last year, increasing to 58% over the past four weeks
• 2017 is set to be the biggest year yet, for French styles in particular. One in three Brits chose lighter styles such as Provençal and Bordeaux rosé in the summer over darker, sweeter styles such as Zinfandel. Millennials are twice as likely to opt for these paler rosés
• When temperatures soar, we turn to rosé over white. A warm spell sees rosé sales up 30% in comparison to 20% for white wine

Elizabeth Newman, Head of Beers, Wines & Spirits at Sainsbury’s, comments: “We expect rosé to be the drink of summer 2017, increasing our range by 15% to keep up with its growing popularity. Consumer habits are changing as the UK begins to mirror trends in France - not only are we turning to France for paler styles but the magnum is also set to be a hit for entertaining. We’re launching our first ever magnum of rosé this year and I am confident it will be a crowd pleaser for parties as we head into barbecue season.”