The global sparkling wine market continued to evolve in 2025, with consumer preferences increasingly favoring affordability, value, and innovation.
According to ProWein's latest market report, the category is becoming more diverse as established names like Champagne and Cava face declining sales, while Crémant, Prosecco, and non-alcoholic sparkling wines continue to gain momentum.
The report highlights a market shaped by changing consumer spending habits, growing demand for premium yet accessible products, and the rapid expansion of alcohol-free alternatives.
Champagne Continues to Decline
Champagne experienced another challenging year in 2025. According to the Comité Champagne, global shipments totaled 266 million bottles, representing a 2% decline compared to 2024. This follows a more significant 9% drop recorded the previous year.
ProWein attributes the continued slowdown to several factors. Consumers facing economic uncertainty are increasingly turning to more affordable sparkling wines, while Champagne producers remain constrained by strict production regulations that limit their ability to rapidly adjust supply.
The report also notes that Champagne has fewer opportunities to participate in the fast-growing non-alcoholic and low-alcohol sparkling wine segment, a category that many other producers are actively developing.
Crémant Enjoys Record Growth
While Champagne softened, Crémant emerged as one of the biggest winners of 2025.
Global sales reached nearly 123 million bottles, setting a new record and marking a 7.5% increase over the previous year.
The Fédération Nationale des Producteurs et Élaborateurs de Crémant attributes much of this success to the category's strong value proposition. With an average retail price of approximately EUR 7 per bottle, Crémant continues to position itself as a high-quality yet affordable sparkling wine accessible to a broad range of consumers.
International demand has also expanded significantly. Whereas around 70% of Crémant production remained in France in 2020, exports now account for 41% of total sales. This growing international footprint reflects increasing global recognition of Crémant as an attractive alternative to more expensive sparkling wines.
Prosecco Maintains Its Global Momentum
Prosecco once again confirmed its position as the world's leading growth story in sparkling wine.
Production reached 667 million bottles in 2025, a further 1.1% increase over the previous year. Although growth has moderated compared to the 7% increase recorded in 2024, the category has more than doubled its sales over the past decade.
International markets remain the engine of Prosecco's success, with more than 80% of total production exported.
Demand continued to strengthen across key markets. During the first nine months of 2025, exports to the United States increased by 8%, while France—despite being home to both Champagne and Crémant—boosted its Prosecco imports by an impressive 21%.
These figures reinforce Prosecco's reputation as a globally accessible sparkling wine capable of appealing to a wide range of consumers and price segments.
Sustainability Remains a Priority for Champagne
Although Champagne faced commercial challenges, the region continued making progress toward its sustainability objectives.
The "Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne" program, launched in 2014, aims to certify all vineyard areas by 2030 according to standards covering biodiversity, water management, waste reduction, and carbon footprint.
By the end of 2025, approximately 14,700 hectares—representing 43% of Champagne's vineyard area—had already achieved certification, demonstrating the region's long-term commitment to environmental responsibility.
Cava Faces a Difficult Year
Spain's Cava sector experienced the sharpest decline among the major sparkling wine categories.
Sales fell to 190 million bottles in 2025, representing a 13% decrease compared to the previous year.
According to ProWein, several factors contributed to the downturn, including consecutive years of drought that reduced grape harvests, as well as weaker domestic wine consumption in Spain.
Despite these challenges, Cava remains a highly international category. Around 70% of production is exported, making it Spain's most widely distributed wine worldwide.
While current sales have weakened, its strong international presence continues to provide important opportunities for wineries and distributors.
Alcohol-Free Sparkling Wines Continue Their Rise
One of the strongest trends identified in the report is the rapid expansion of non-alcoholic and low-alcohol sparkling wines.
Germany led the segment in 2025, selling more than 22 million bottles of alcohol-free sparkling wine—a 12% increase over the previous year. These products now account for approximately 9% of the country's sparkling wine market.
Looking ahead, growth is expected to continue. Market research firm Grand View Research forecasts that the global non-alcoholic wine market could reach USD 3.78 billion by 2030, expanding at an average annual rate of around 8%.
For producers and retailers, this category represents an increasingly important opportunity to diversify portfolios, reach health-conscious consumers, and offset slower growth in traditional sparkling wine segments.
A Market Defined by Changing Consumer Preferences
The 2025 sparkling wine market illustrates how consumer priorities are reshaping the industry.
While premium heritage brands such as Champagne continue to command prestige, affordability and accessibility are becoming increasingly influential purchasing factors. Crémant has benefited from offering excellent quality at competitive prices, while Prosecco continues to dominate global export markets thanks to its versatility and broad appeal.
At the same time, sustainability initiatives and the expansion of alcohol-free sparkling wines demonstrate that innovation is becoming just as important as tradition.
For wineries, distributors, and retailers, success in the coming years will likely depend on balancing heritage with adaptability—meeting consumers where they are while continuing to preserve the identity and quality that define the world's leading sparkling wine regions.
Source: Vinetur