(Just-Drinks) - German sparkling wine group Henkell & Co has underlined recent M&A activity with a 6% increase in organic sales for 2017.

The company, which in March agreed the acquisition of majority control in Cava producer Freixenet, said late last week that a strong performance both at home and abroad drove the 12-month revenue gain. The growth rate was ahead of 2016, when organic sales climbed by 4%.

On a reported basis, which includes the effects of currency fluctuations, group sales were up 5% to EUR526.5m (US$636m).

In Germany, sales were up 4%, while abroad organic sales rose by 6%. Key drivers of non-German growth were the brands Mionetto, Henkell and I Heart Wines. Outside of Europe, growth for Prosecco through Mionetto was the main reason for the sales increases, Henkell said.