Sales of sparkling wine in Germany have plummeted over the past decade, raising questions about evolving consumer habits and the enduring legacy of a century-old tax. Official figures released Tuesday by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) reveal a stark 19.5% decrease in sales of sekt, prosecco and champagne since 2014, with 255.3 million liters sold in 2024.
Per capita consumption has also fallen sharply. Each person aged 16 and over consumed roughly 4.8 bottles (0.75 liters each) of sparkling wine, or 36 glasses (0.1 liters each) last year, a significant decline from the 6.1 bottles (46 glasses) consumed in 2014. This shift reflects broader trends in alcohol consumption and potentially a changing attitude towards celebratory traditions.
The data, derived from tax statistics – a system rooted in the early 20th century when the “Schaumweinsteuer” (sparkling wine tax) was initially introduced to finance the imperial navy – highlights the tax’s continued relevance. While generating a modest €352 million for the federal government in 2024, representing a mere 0.04% of total tax revenue, the tax’s existence underscores a historical commitment to levying alcohol consumption.
Interestingly, the revenue generated from beer tax – a state-level tax – amounted to €558 million, surpassing the income from the sparkling wine tax. This discrepancy shines a light on the regional variations in taxation policies and the potentially unequal burden placed on different alcoholic beverages.
It’s important to note that non-alcoholic sparkling wine is excluded from these figures, as the tax only applies to beverages containing over 1.2% alcohol by volume. The ongoing decline in sales, coupled with the relatively small contribution of the Schaumweinsteuer to overall revenue, prompts a critical examination of the tax’s future and whether it remains a justifiable levy in a modern, evolving economy. The optics of maintaining a tax initially designed to fund a naval fleet, while facing dwindling consumer numbers, may increasingly draw political scrutiny.