According to the Scotch Whisky Association, Scotch exports have topped £3 billion or almost €3.5 billion. This growth of 8% compared to 2007 is due to both the bottled blends and the malts that grew by 9% each.

This significant increase in sales turns out to be higher than the actual volumes exported, which were down 5%, although they still exceed one billion bottles. (Source: Décision Boissons)

240 million bottles of Bordeaux wines were exported in 2008, down 7% compared to 2007. Since a large proportion of these were 2005 vintages, the exports were worth €1,69 billion an increase of 22%. (Source: La Revue du Vin de France)

Italian wine export volumes fell to 17.8m hectolitres in 2008, a drop of 7% on 2007 volumes, according to figures from Unione Italiana Vini (UIV).

Higher average prices meant that the value of exports increased in 2008 by 2%, reaching €3.6bn.

Exports to Germany – the number one export market by volume – fell by 10% to 5.6m hl.

The US remains Italy’s number one export market by value, and here sales fell to €800m, a 4% drop. (Source: IWSR)

In 2007, consumers in UK drank the equivalent of 8.5 million cases of sparkling wines, practically double the quantity consumed in 1997 of 4.3 million cases. This is a very concentrated market, since four countries supply 95% of the volumes: France, Spain, Italy and Australia. (Source: La Revue Vinicole Internationale)

Vodka has shown steady growth in Lebanon since 1999, but this accelerated in 2008, with the category growing by 22.5% to 106,000 nine-litre cases.

Growth was strongest in the premium (up 36%) and super-premium levels (up 83%). Growth in the top segment was driven by Grey Goose, which reached 2,000 cases. (Source: IWSR)

Cross-border shopping and the economic downturn sent wine sales tumbling by more than 10% in Ireland during the first quarter of 2009, official figures show.

Now trade body the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) is calling on the government to consider reducing excise duties and VAT – and warns that jobs and businesses are at risk all over the country.

Alcohol sales were down 13.2% in the first quarter, with wine sales falling 10.6% and Spirits sales slumped 19.2%. (Source: Decanter.com)

Nielsen stats have indicated some modest growth in the take-home wine market.

Sales were up 5% in value in the 12 months to May 16, and 1% in volume terms.

The growth is small compared to the leaps made in recent years, and much of the value increase can be ascribed to duty rises and the spiralling cost of production and importing.

But the data is more encouraging for the trade than the zero volume growth that Nielsen reported for wine in the take-home trade earlier in the spring.

The average price of a 75cl bottle of wine in the off-trade has risen to €4.9 (Source: Harpers.com)

Alsace in eastern France sold nearly 210,000 hectolitres of Cremant in 2007, as a result of 61% growth over the preceding decade from 1997. This product is enjoying spectacularly regular growth - in 1982, only 16,428 hectolitres were sold.

While the domestic market has increased by a healthy 48% in volume over the last 10 years, exports have been the real driver with 185% growth in the same period. (Source: La Revue vinicole internationale)

The coopers François Frères have taken a 50% share in Stavin, a group specialised in oak products for winemaking, and made a commitment to complete a full takeover in the mid-term. Stavin is located in California and achieves annual sales of €7.16 million. (Source: VSB)

69,000 hectolitres of Bordeaux wines were exported to China in 2008, a 60% increase compared to 2007, representing sales turnover of €53 million and growth of 19%.

From 2000 to 2008, exports of Bordeaux wines to China were multiplied by 35. China is today the 8^th largest customer of Bordeaux wines and the 9^th largest in terms of value. (Source: Revue Vinicole Internationale)

The Argentine wine company Argento are about to launch their brand from Mendoza into the US through Lion Nathan USA.

Next month’s launch comes on the back of recent distribution expansion into countries such as China, Poland, Argentina and Australia and takes the number of countries in which Argento is available globally to 46.(Source: Harpers.com)

Pierre-Henry Gagey, President of the Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins de Bourgogne (BIVB), announced last week that Burgundy export wine sales fell by 30% in the first quarter of 2009, while the French market remained stable.
In 2008, Burgundy wine sales on all markets were slightly lower than in 2007, which was an “exceptional” year. 194 million bottles were sold last year, a 5.1% decrease, generating sales of about €1.1 billion.

The US and UK, which account for 45% of Burgundy exports, both posted 25% decreases in volume in 2008, which are explained by the economic crisis and unfavourable exchange rates.
In 2008, Burgundy sales remained stable in France, but 2009 is expected “to be more difficult”, according to Michel Baldassini, Deputy President of the BIVB. (Source: AFP)

The total value of wine imports to Hong Kong from around the world reached €276,3 million in 2008, a year-on-year increase of nearly 80 percent and figures show that US wine exports to Hong Kong rose by more than 500 percent year-on-year through February 2009.

US exports there reached €13,44 million in value in 2008, double that they were in 2007.

“Hong Kong has been a top three export market for US wines ever since”, California Wine Institute regional director for emerging markets Eric Pope said. (Source: Wine Business.com)

South African wine producers are staking a lot on the development of the Indian wine market by aiming to launch 30 to 40 new wine brands there in the next three years. South African wine exports to India grew by 44% in 2008 to reach 3,500 cases. This is still a very small quantity, but the South Africans fully intend to develop it in the coming years. Wine sales on the Indian market are increasing by 25 to 30% per year. (Wines of South Africa Hall 1 A 328) (Source: Vitisphère)

The economic downturn and fall in the value of the dollar have not halted exports of wine from California which represent 90% of the value of all exports from the State and for the first time broke the billion dollar barrier in 2008 by growing 6% over 2007 to reach  US$1,008,259. IWSR data shows that sales of still wine alone grew by 19% between 2003 and 2007 to reach 41.7 million nine- litre cases compared with 35.7 million in 2003. (Source : Vinexpo)

As Brazil increases its production and vine area, the country is set to improve the quality of its wines with the launch of a new national technical network.

The National Viticulture Science and Technology Network is worth €500,000, and is charged with investments in oenology, research and modernisation throughout the country. Run by wine industry professionals and local government, it will cover three wine regions: Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Pernambuco. (Source: Decanter.com)

6.6 million bottles of Armagnac were sold in 2008, representing a 12.5% increase in volume in France, where 60% of sales take place and a 19% rise in exports. Germany is the largest export destination in terms of volume, while Russia leads in value. (Source: Décision Boissons)

According to The IWSR, Brazil wine imports increased by 220% in volume and by 300% in value in the period from 2002 to 2008. This makes the Brazilians the second biggest wine drinkers in Latin America after Argentina. (Vinexpo Hall 1 BD 14) (Source: VSB)

According to the latest figures presented by the French agency “Bio” that promotes organic agriculture, the number of organic winegrowers increased by 20.7% between 2007 and 2008 to reach a total of 2,301 estates. The trend in terms of surface area of vines is even more significant in a general climate in which vines are being pulled up. The three leading organic winegrowing areas are Languedoc-Roussillon with 8,337 hectares (20,602 acres), the Provence-Alps-Mediterranean coast region with 6,674 hectares (16,492 acres) and Aquitaine with 3,763 hectares (9,299 acres). (Source: VSB)

After a 6.37% increase between 2003 and 2007, which brought spirits volumes consumed to 132.96 million 9-litre cases or 1.595 billion bottles, the VINEXPO / The IWSR study expects spirits consumption in Japan to decrease by 8.26% in volume between 2008 and 2012. By the end of the period, consumption is anticipated to decline to 122.338 million cases, the equivalent of 1.46 billion bottles. (Source: Vinexpo / The IWSR)

Hong Kong signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation in wine-related business with Hungary. Under the agreement, the two sides will strengthen cooperation in the promotion of wine-related trading, investment, tourism and education and in the fight against counterfeit wine.

Wine exports from Hungary to Hong Kong increased by as much as 78% by value in 2008. (Source: China.org)

The consumption of wine (both still and sparkling) increased by 10.57% between 2003 and 2007 in the Netherlands. At the end of this period, volumes consumed reached 41,684 million 9-litre cases, equivalent to 500,208 million bottles. Consumption should grow by a further 4.47% between 2008 and 2012 to reach 43,836 million cases, or 526 million bottles by the end of the period. (Source: Vinexpo / The IWSR)

New Zealand is bucking the trend of declining wine sales in the UK according to the latest figures from AC Nielsen.

Having grown 11.5% over the last year, Nielsen statistics show sales of New Zealand wines have rocketed in the UK by 42% in the last 12 weeks. (Source: Decanter.com)

In the 10-year period between 2003 and 2012, the consumption of still and sparkling wines in Russia should have increased by 70.55 million cases, an average increase of 12,6%.

This increase corresponds to growth in consumption of 84.667 million bottles per year over the period. (Source: Vinexpo)

In 2007, each inhabitant of Austria of legal drinking age consumed on average 42.20 litres of wine per year, making it the 5^th largest consuming nation in the world for still and sparkling wines in terms of per capita consumption.

In 2007, the Austrians drank 31.216 million 9-litre cases of wine, including still and sparkling, the equivalent of 374.5 million bottles, up 0.91% compared to 2003.

The Vinexpo / The IWSR study forecasts a 2.43% increase in wine consumption between 2008 and 2012, reaching almost 400 million bottles, or 32.691 million 9-litre cases by the end of the period. (Source: Vinexpo)

An Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation report says the value of Australian wine exports fell 14% in the year ending April 2009.

The report says the global financial crisis has brought continued pressure of many Australia’s key export markets.

It has led to an increase of lower-priced bulk wine shipments but that was offset by a fall of about 75 million litres in the higher-priced bottled segment.

The United Kingdom accounted for more than half of that decline. (Source: ABC News.com)

Having downed 496.74 million cases of spirits in 2007, China is the world’s leading spirits consumer despite a slight slow-down of 0.67% between 2003 and 2007.

The Vinexpo / The IWSR study forecasts a decrease in the consumption of spirits in China of 8.24% between 2008 and 2012.

The decrease is in fact characterised by falling consumption of local spirits, while the volumes consumed of other spirits will undergo double-digit growth. (Source: Vinexpo)

Portugal exported €1,15 million in wine to China in 2008, a figure that is expected to rise to €1,45 million this year, the brand manager for ViniPortugal said.

According to Márcio Ferreira, for 2009 “prospects are excellent,” for Portuguese sales to Hong Kong, Macau and Shanghai. (Source: WineInChina.com)

In 2007, Italy became the largest market in the word for still wines, drinking 299 million 9-litre cases, the equivalent of 3.588 billion bottles.

Between 2003 and 2007, Italians drank 1,23% more wine. In 2008, consumption receded slightly by 0.3% compared to 2007, but according to the forecasts in the Vinexpo / The IWSR study, it should return to 0.56% growth between 2008 and 2012, to reach 311.556 million cases or 3.738 billion bottles. (Source: Vinexpo)

In 2008, Burgundy wine exports fell by 15.5% in volume and 11.7% in value reaching 93 million bottles sold for only €635 million. The two main markets for Burgundy wines, UK and the US, which represent 45% of all Burgundy exports, shrank by 25% each in volume, which accounts for 90% of the fall in sales turnover. (Source: VSB)

Morocco has become one of the largest winemakers in the Muslim world, with the equivalent of 35 million bottles produced last year. "Morocco is a country of tolerance," said Mehdi Bouchaara, the deputy general manager at the Celliers de Meknes, the country's largest winemaker, which bottles over 85 percent of national output. "It's everybody's personal choice whether to drink or not." The Celliers have flourished on this tolerance and now cultivate 2,100 hectares of vineyards. (Vinexpo Hall 1 DE 50) (Source: The Associated Press)

Brazil is a country on the rise and is poised to take an increasingly prominent position on the global wine scene. Research published in mid-2008 by The IWSR shows that Brazil is now Latin America’s second biggest consumer of wine by volume, with its 326m litres in 2006 putting it behind only Argentina.

The same research predicts that by 2011 Brazilian consumption will reach 369m, a 13% increase from 2006. (Source: Wine Business International.com)

Bulgarian winegrowers, who are facing the world economic crisis, are striving to improve the quality of their wines to try to penetrate European markets, while holding onto their position in the Russian market, their main traditional outlet.

“We have to produce less quantity and focus on quality. We must try to sell medium- to high-range wines”, urged the Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture.

In 2008, Bulgaria produced 138 million litres of wine, of which 80% was exported. The biggest buyer remains Russia, which accounts for nearly 60% of exports. (Source: AFP)

The consumption of rum and mainly white rum increased substantially, up 39.63% and 32.84% respectively between 2003 and 2007.Between 2008 and 2012, vodka and rum consumption should continue to grow, but rum will be slower than vodka at 9.35% compared to 28.16%. (Source: Vinexpo / The IWSR) (www.vinexpo)

Armagnac sales are increasing by about 15% per year. In 2008, 6.7 million bottles were sold representing around 18% growth in France and a 13% increase in exports. The President of the Bureau National Interprofessionnel de l’Armagnac, Pierre Tabarin, intends to accelerate this growth with an objective of  doubling volumes sold in three years and even greater growth in terms of value by focusing on the organisation and the professionalism of operations. (Source: L’Amateur de Bordeaux)

Champagne sales dropped 30% in the first half of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. The President of the Winegrowers’ General Union warned that this decrease, unprecedented because of its extent, should however be understood in its context of exceptional sales at the beginning of 2008.

322.4 million bottles of champagne were sold worldwide in 2008, compared to 338.7 million in 2007 and 321.8 million in 2006. (Source: AFP)

Concha y Toro Group, with its subsidiaries, accounts for 37% of the total volume of Chilean wine exports, which is 10% more than in 2003. In terms of value, the Group’s share of Chilean exports has evolved from 23.5% in 2003 to 31.4% in 2008, reaching €389 million, an increase of 3.5%. Concha y Toro forecasts 10% growth in the volumes it exports in 2009, despite the economic climate. (Club du Lac Vinexpo) (Source: VSB)

Wine exports to China will be made easier through the signing of two new agreements.

The Federal Minister for Agriculture, Tony Burke, says the memorandums of understanding will make it simpler for growers to ship wine into China.

China is the largest Asian market for Australian wine, with exports in the year to March 2009 valued at more than €62 million.

Mr Burke says the agreements will also lift the profile of Australian wine in Hong Kong, where exports have grown by more than 20 per cent in the past 12 months.

Mr Burke says wine consumption is growing in Asia and the agreements will help Australia enjoy an increased share of that growth. (Source: ABC news.com)

Donald Tsang, head of the Hong Kong government has announced that the former British colony imported €294 million-worth of wine in 2008, an 80% increase compared to 2007. This dramatic growth was stimulated by the abolition of customs duty on wine imports in 2008, which was motivated by the ambition to make Hong Kong a regional wine trading hub. The next step in the coming months will involve facilitating re-exports towards mainland China. (Source: VSB)

In 2007, U.S. wine consumption (still + sparkling) reached 288.8 million (9 liter) cases, or 3.5 billion bottles, an increase of 70 % vs. 2003, thus reinforcing its position as the 3rd leading country in terms of volume.
Between 2008 and 2012, Americans will continue to increase their consumption (+11.8%), reaching a total of 330 million cases (3.96 billion bottles). Thus, the United States will become the world’s number one market in terms of still wine consumption, ahead of Italy and France.
Over a 10 year period (2003/2012), total wine consumption in the U.S. will have experienced an average annual increase of 3.1%. (Source: Vinexpo / The IWSR)