Italy’s spumante sales for the first six months of 2008 registered a 60% increase in value and a 10% increase in volume over 2007 exports. This equates to €1.3bn and 320m bottles. Consumption of both imported Champagnes and locally produced sparkling wines are rising rapidly in Italy. In 2007, Italy’s champagne imports registered a 11% increase on 2006, selling over 10m bottles. (Wine Business International.com)