Prosecco is fast becoming one of the UK's favourite beverages, a new survey has indicated.

According to the latest figures from Wine Intelligence, 15 per cent of the country's 23 million wine drinkers now imbibe the tipple, that's more than double the 8 per cent reported in 2007.

Chief operating officer of the establishment Richard Halstead said the nation is entering the "Prosecco decade".

"UK consumers will still spend good money on still and sparkling wines, but they will need to be sure they are getting exceptional value for that spending," he added.

Champagne - which is often found in luxury Christmas gift hampers - is still the favourite wine but lower cost alternatives are growing in popularity, as 33 per cent of respondents stated they "do not mind what they buy if the price is right".

Earlier this week, Regis Camus from Champagne house Piper-Heidsieck was named as the Sparkling Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine Challenge.