Majestic has launched a bid to tap the fine wine market

Beer sales also featured strongly for the UK group, along with record numbers of buyers of champagne.

Majestic said like-for-like sales rose 7.4% during the eight weeks from 6 November to New Year's Eve.

Chief executive Tim How said the company had enjoyed "a most encouraging increase" in its customer base during the past year.

More stores

The strong seasonal trading performance builds on solid half-year figures unveiled by Majestic in November, up 42% to �3.96m ($7.17m).

Wines from Bordeaux, Loire, Southern France, South Africa, New Zealand and Chile sold particularly well Chief executive Tim How Majestic Wine share price

The company, which runs 113 outlets in the UK and trades at three stores in France, is currently undergoing a round of expansion with the aim of reaching 175 outlets in the UK.

Majestic has also made efforts to enter the fine wine market, opening a distribution base in London for a 200-strong range of wines costing up to �700.

Mr How said wines from "Bordeaux, Loire, Southern France, South Africa, New Zealand and Chile sold particularly well" over the key Christmas trading period.