Why Drizly Predicts Prosecco Will Out-Sell Champagne For NYE 2022

If you've recently found yourself at the liquor store contemplating a bottle of Prosecco over Champagne for your New Years Eve drink, Drizly knows you are not alone. As the sparkling wine of choice around the world, Prosecco has been on the ascendency for the last decade. The Italian wine overtook Champagne as the top seller in volume way back in 2013 and Fortune reports that by 2018, its sales were about 75% higher. That is a serious love affair with Prosecco. Spritzes for everyone!

Tradition is strong, however, and even as Prosecco has overtaken Champagne, the French specialty has held on to its status as the symbolic New Years' drink. According to Imbibe, drinking Champagne on New Years took off in the 19th century as a rising middle class sought to emulate the tastes of their aristocratic overlords. Since then, it has remained a yearly treat for revelers with its high price increasing its appeal as an indulgence to toast the joy and prosperity of the coming year. 

But times are changing and sales trends from Drizly show there is one force that may be more powerful than history or tradition.

As we move towards the new year, let's hope this is one of the last bits of news you hear about this year's dominant story: inflation. Yes, rising prices are once again changing the way people eat and drink. According to a Drizly press release sent to Tasting Table, the much more affordable Prosecco has seen a 26% increase in sales from last year, compared to a 6% drop for Champagne. While Prosecco's lower price point has always been an advantage over Champagne, the release claims the average price of a Champagne bottle has risen over 30% the last two years to $57.04, with Prosecco coming in at a far more reasonable $16.04.

What accounts for Champagne's much higher price? According to The Associated Press, the French sparkling wine takes longer to produce and is much more labor intensive. This is due to Champagne's second period of fermentation taking place in the bottle, instead of bulk tanks like Prosecco, which require the bottles to be adjusted every day to prevent bursting. While we certainly appreciate the French dedication to the unique craft of Champagne, there is no denying the growing appeal of Prosecco, which gives you the same celebratory pop and fizz while being much more affordable. 

Everyone should be able to get festive at year's end, and if Prosecco helps more people do that, then we raise our glass to the Italian producers who make it possible.