People who enjoy settling down with a wine gift hamper appear not to be alone in the activity, new figures have suggested.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association's (WSTA's) Quarterly Market Report has shown rose wine sales have risen by more than 20 per cent in pubs, restaurants and bars around Britain.

Jeremy Beadles, the WSTA chief executive, commented: "Given the fact that sales of other wines in bars, clubs and restaurants are down over the course of the past year the big rise in rose is all the more striking."

The industry expert added the hot weather experienced around the country in the last few weeks had probably played a big part in boosting the beverage's popularity, while consumers also tend to be favouring slightly more expensive drinks.

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory recently claimed resveratrol - found in wine - could help improve brainpower and memory skills.