Major influences fuelling the growing global demand for sparkling wine include shifting consumer preferences and lifestyle trends that want lighter and more refreshing products. Sparkling wine’s effervescence and visual appeal also add a sense of fun to any occasion. In addition to popularity as measured by sales figures, the world’s largest online wine retailer also crowdsources drinkers’ preferences and opinions, enabling both quantitative historical sales figures, and a more topical qualitative assessment. How does supply not only keep up, but also expand the market even further?
On the production side, advances in production techniques have improved quality while keeping costs low, particularly for wines like Spanish Cava and Italian Prosecco. Exports from these countries have surged to meet the demands from growing international markets. At the same time, the introduction of smaller bottle sizes caters to convenience-focused consumers, and greatly expands the occasions and the locations when sparkling wines can be enjoyed – both formally and more casually.
The global sparkling wine market value was estimated at approximately USD 41.6 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 69.1 billion by 2033. This equates to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5% during 2025-2033. As sales of sparkling wines have continued to grow in recent years, the expanding market opens opportunities for less well-known producers. They are in a fairly relaxed marketplace, because sparkling wine drinkers tend to have more of an open mind about the products and brands they consume than average. Data confirms that 23% of sparkling wine/champagne drinkers in the UK are either innovators themselves or early adopters of new products.
Our current interest in the topic is prompted by the imminent first round of public voting to decide the category winners of the international BOLD Awards for innovators and innovations in digital industries. Finalists will gather at a glittering gala dinner in Lisbon, the vibrant capital of Portugal, on Friday March 28th, 2025. It will be an event where an international crowd of innovators, entrepreneurs and disruptors will be able to celebrate success, and form opinions on Portuguese sparkling wine.
Let’s celebrate!
Portuguese Espumante sparkling wine has been made commercially since the late 19th century, and its development gained momentum in the early 20th century. The location of the first significant production is attributed to the Távora-Varosa region, which began producing sparkling wines inspired by the Champagne method around the 1890s. Today, Espumante is primarily produced in the Bairrada region, though other regions like Vinho Verde and Távora-Varosa also produce quality sparkling wines.
Initiated in 2015, the Baga Bairrada Sparkling Wine Project is a collective effort among Bairrada region producers to particularly highlight the indigenous Baga grape’s potential in sparkling wine production. The collaboration aims to produce high-quality sparkling wines that showcase regional characteristics and the versatility of the Baga grape.

Winemakers use both indigenous grape varieties (e.g., Baga, Maria Gomes, Arinto) and international ones (e.g., Chardonnay, Pinot Noir). Some adopted the Méthode Traditionnelle of Champagne to enhance quality through a secondary fermentation in the bottle, and thus compete more equally on an international stage. It certainly sounds appropriate to celebrate with at the BOLD Awards!
A crowdsourced poll by the world’s largest online wine retailer, Vivino, among drinkers who wish to express their preference, gives a list of the most popular Portuguese sparkling wines, updated on a weekly basis. Here is their ranking of top Portuguese sparkling wines for the week commencing January 23, 2025.
- Murganheira Vintage Bruto U.V.
- Caves São João Luiz Costa Pinot Noir – Chardonnay 2016
- Murganheira Millesimé Bruto 2011
- Caves São João Quinta do Poço do Lobo Espumante Bruto 2022
- Távora Terras do Demo Verdelho 2021
- Távora Terras do Demo Reserva Pinot Noir Blanc de Noirs Brut 2021
- Quintas de Melgaço QM Super Reserva Alvarinho Bruto 2017
- Soalheiro Alvarinho Bruto 2018
- Colinas Reserva Cuvée Brut Nature 2016
- Jose Carvalheira Hibernus Premier Brut 2021
Request an Invitation
The entry deadline to the BOLD Awards has now closed. However, in addition to category finalists, non-entrants can request a VIP Invitation to attend the BOLD Awards gala dinner. These are strictly limited in number, and provide a rare opportunity to be part of such a unique celebration to highlight and reward multiple forms of outstanding digital innovation!