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 Wines sealed with cork generated £344 million in sales in the UK during the 52 weeks to 13 June 2026, according to new Nielsen data, outperforming overall market growth and reinforcing cork’s position across both retail and hospitality channels.

The research shows that cork-sealed wines recorded 5.9% value growth year on year, compared with 3.5% growth across the overall top 250 wine brands. The figures point to a continued association between cork and higher-value wines, with consumers showing a willingness to pay more for wines sealed with natural cork.

Among the UK’s top 250 off-trade brands, cork-sealed wines retail at an average of £8.19 per bottle, compared with £6.93 for screwcap wines. As a result, cork’s price premium has widened from 12.6% in 2021 to 18.2% in 2026, highlighting the growing commercial advantage associated with cork closures.

One of the study’s most notable findings is the increasing presence of cork in the white wine category. As consumer preferences continue to evolve, cork’s share of white wines has doubled from 11% to 22%, demonstrating that its appeal now extends well beyond the categories where it has traditionally been strongest.

The same trend is evident in the on-trade. Wines sealed with natural cork command an average price of £8.60 per 175ml glass, compared with £4.93 for wines under screwcap, underlining cork’s role in supporting premium positioning in wine-by-the-glass programmes.

The research also confirms cork’s strong presence in higher-value segments. Cork accounts for 54.2% of sales value among wines priced above £10, rising to 72.2% among wines priced above £12, maintaining its leadership in the categories where value creation is most significant.

As one of the world’s largest wine import markets, the UK provides an important benchmark for understanding changing consumer behaviour. The latest Nielsen figures suggest that cork continues to deliver tangible commercial value, helping wineries strengthen positioning, support premium pricing, and respond to evolving consumer expectations across different wine styles and occasions.

The latest UK data reinforces cork’s role in creating value across different wine segments and consumption occasions. More information can be found in APCOR’s press release, "Cork's Lead Widens in UK Retail and On Trade" CORK'S LEAD WIDENS IN UK RETAIL AND ON TRADE, as well as in coverage by The Drinks Business APCOR: Cork is wine’s strongest quality signal - The Drinks Business