In the second half of 2007, The United States overtook the UK as the leading wine export market, largely due to the extraordinary popularity of German Rieslings amongst young American drinkers. Export sales to the US account for nearly €100 million, which is one quarter of Germany’s total wine export turnover. (Source: VSB)
With sales set to attain 30 million bottles, Crémant d’Alsace today represents 20% of all Alsace appellation wines sold and 30% of all French sparkling wines. Enjoyed mainly in the area where it is produced, it is also exported to neighbouring countries. The combined Crémant d’Alsace imports of Belgium and Luxemburg outstrip those of Germany. (Source: Le Figaro Magazine)
Peru claims to have increased its production of pisco by 120% between 2003 and 2007. In the first half of 2008, exports mainly to the US are reported to be up 35% reaching a value of about €498,000. Thus Peru appears to be ahead of Chile, while both countries claim that this grape-based spirit is their own national liqueur. (Source: VSB)
The improvement of relations between Russia and Moldavia has had a direct influence on exports of French and Bulgarian table wines and other non-AOC wines. In the first half of 2008, French exports lost 18.9% of their volume, while Bulgarian wine exports decreased by 20% in the first three months alone. (Source: VSB)
A major step forward in efforts to protect Scotch Whisky in on of its most important markets has been welcomed by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA). Following an SWA application, the Chinese Trade Mark Office under Administration of Industry & Commerce (AIC) has agreed to protect “Scotch Whisky” as a Geographical Indication (GI) by registering it as a “collective trade mark”. (Source: The Scotch Whisky Association)
Following a survey carried out by the European Confederation of Independent Winegrowers (CEVI) amongst its members concerning problems met in the supply of glass bottles, responses received from France, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Luxemburg and Slovenia are alarming.
90.1% of the winegrowers who were questioned, had to pay higher prices for bottles, 63.6% met with problems of late delivery and 55% faced breakdowns in supply.
CEVI forwarded its findings to the European Commission’s General Directorate for Competition. (Source: European Confederation of Independent Winegrowers)
In order to meet a growing demand for rosé, Provencal winegrowers have had to reduce their production of white and red wines. Thus today, rosé accounts for 87% of the Côtes-de-Provence and Coteaux Varois AOCs, and 73% of Coteaux d’Aix. Well ahead of the Val de Loire with 20% of French production, Provence is the country’s leader on the AOC rosé market. (Source: Var Matin)
Cava, which originates from Catalonia in Spain, has in a short period of time undoubtedly become one the most important sparkling wines in the world, now representing 10.4% of the global sparkling market. In 2007, over 20 m 9-litre cases of Cava were made, of which 56% were exported. Germany, which bought 41 m bottles in 2007, is by far the largest client for Cava, followed by the UK with 32.7 m and the US with 14.4 m. (Source : Wine Business International)
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)
Rosé, long dismissed by purists as uncultured plonk, has overtaken white wine in volume of sales in France. While much of France’s wine growers battle lower consumption and persistent overproduction, pink wine is enjoying as never before. It is estimated that more than one in five bottles of wine sold in France is a rosé. (Source: Telegraph.co)
Pioneer and world leader in supplying wine in tin cans, the Australian company Barokes Wines has launched an operation in France focussed exclusively on the Paris region. Consumers who have “taken the plunge” are keen supporters, according to Barokes’ French distributor. (Source: VSB)
Mezcal, similar to blue agave, is rapidly gaining in popularity as e new alternative to tequila, and is expected to take sales away from tequila in Mexico. After decades of being perceived as a poor man’s drink, mescal is finally gaining respect among spirits connoisseurs. Source: The Drinks Business)
Out of the 17 billion 75 cl bottles of wine produced worldwide each year, 2.5 billion should receive screw caps in 2008, compared to only 300 million in 2003. The challenge is to eliminate any cork taste while ensuring good conservation of the wine and absolute uniformity between bottles. Corks, both real and synthetic, do however account for 85% of the market of bottled wines. (Source: Le Figaro - Vinexpo)
Compared to 2006 - 2007, cognac deliveries have decreased by 3.8% in volume, but turnover has grown slightly to reach more than 1.6 billion euros (152.8 million bottles), up 0.8%. (Source: Décisions Boissons)
In July, Italy’s agricultural minister and the U.S ambassador to Italy guaranteed that Brunello would continue to flow into the United States thanks to the introduction by Italy of a certification process for Brunello producers who export to the United States. “We can rely on the Italian government to give the necessary guarantees”, said U.S ambassador Ron Spogli. (Source: Wine Spectator)
Having set up a Sustainable Development Charter in 2007, the French Spirits Federation has published a practical guide to be sent out to its members concerning the ecodesign of packaging for spirits. (Source: Emballagedigest.fr)
Despite producing 320 million bottles per year, Champagne cannot quench the French thirst for bubbly. In fact, the crémants and other sparkling wines fill the gap with great success! (Source: Le Figaro)
The main rosé producing countries are also the main rosé consuming countries. Market competition for rosé wines remains essentially domestic. Europe is the leading rosé producing region with 75% of world production, significantly ahead of America with 20% and North Africa with 2%. France is the world leader with more than 5 million hectolitres accounting for 25% of world production, followed closely by Italy and Spain, who both produce close to 4 million hectolitres. (Source: Journée Vinicole)
Two new ports have arrived on the market causing a veritable revolution. They clearly aim to appeal to younger drinkers; one is organic and the other is a rosé port. (Source: Vinexpo)
At the end of April 2008, after several months of slowing business since the peak reached in October 2007, year-to-date deliveries of cognac returned to growth, up 11.4% compared to April 2007. This turnaround is attributable to Asian demand, up 14.7% over the last rolling twelve months, which compensates for the NAFTA decrease of 2.2%. Furthermore, China has become the 3rd largest cognac market in the world, having overtaken UK (not counting re-consignments). (Source: VSB)
Vodka has overtaken scotch to become Britain’s favourite spirit for the first time, new industry figures reveal. Traditional blended whiskies have been knocked off the top spot by heavily marketed vodka brands which have appealed to a younger, trendier market. Sales of vodka increased by 11% to €948 million in the year to April, while blended whisky sales only nudged ahead by 1% to €942 million. (Source: The Herald)
Originating in the Rhône-Alpes region of France, the Syrah (Chiraz) grape variety was so widely used in the south that it became the fourth most important variety in France. This success has been mirrored internationally for about fifteen years with approximately 146,000 hectares of it growing all over the world. (Source: VITI)
While still wine sales in French super- and hypermarkets fell in 2007, representing no more than 1.8% of total purchases in volume and value, sales of foreign sparkling wines grew both in volume (up 7.5%) and value (up 12.5%). Representing 5.39 million bottles worth €16.82 million, these wines’ market share has reached 3.3% in volume and 1.5% in value. (Source: VSB)
According to an American study, labels with a simple design are associated by consumers with sincere wines that are good quality, sophisticated and often expensive. A more solidly designed label with greater depth and more visual impact, however, is perceived to represent wines of lesser quality that are plain, less well-made, but also cheaper. (Source: Findawine.com)
A practical guide on Burgundy wines has been sent to wine professionals in China. This book written in simplified Chinese, which can be read and understood in all China’s provinces, explains the basics about Burgundy wines: their history, the grape varieties, the terroirs, the appellations and how to serve them, etc. About forty pages help importers and traders better explain the subtleties and variety of Burgundy wines to their customers. (Source: Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins de Bourgogne)
With a growth at around 18% per annum to reach around 70m cases in 2007, Indian whisky is one of the most dynamic non-scotch whiskies. (Source: IWSR)
Although harvest volumes were down 9.5% because of bad weather, professionals are hailing an excellent year for the country’s emblematic Malbec variety. (Source: VSB)
Having achieved 5% growth compared to the period 1998-2006, rum is the second most consumed spirit in the world. The rum market is very concentrated in that the top 10 consumer countries drink 85% of the total. Brazil represents 45% of these volumes, even though its consumption has receded by 10%, followed by India, whose consumption grew very considerably over the same period. (Source: Revue Vinicole Internationale -IWSR)
In 2007, sales of Chilean wines in UK reached 136 million bottles representing sales of more than €144 million. According to Wines of Chile, exports to UK leapt by 80% in 5 years. (Source: VSB)
Exports of Scotch whisky in 2007, increased to most regions over the year with shipments to Central and South America (+4% in value), Asia (+4.5%), North America (+5.5%) and the European Union (+27%) all growing. South Africa’s rapid rise continued, with exports up further 9% in value. (Source: The Scotch Whisky Association)
Since Moscow lifted the embargo on wine exported from Moldavia, the Russian market has accounted for 30% of the country’s wine exports, equivalent to 18.6 million dollars. Total exports of Moldavian wine and brandy from January to April 2008 amounted to $63 million dollars, two and a half times more than for the same period in 2007. (Source: RIA Novosti)
To boost sales and broaden perceptions of Vinho Verde, producers are focusing on what they see as an increasingly trendy style. Consequently, the Vinho Verde region of Portugal is shifting more and more towards rosé production.Now rosé, a style that was practically non-existent four years ago, now accounts for 5% of total production. White wine accounts for 80% and red 15%. (Source: Decanter.com)
Growth of Irish whisky is accelerating at an impressive rate. In 2006, it reached a volume of 3.7m cases, a rise of 9.5% on 2005. Volumes in 2007 are expected to have risen by a comparable amount, which will lift volumes to 4.1m cases. Irish whisky has displayed extraordinary success in a handful of markets, but especially in the USA. (Source: IWSR)
Production of Us whisky volumes has risen by 10.3% between 2002 and 2006 to reach 26.6m cases. Preliminary figures suggest that volumes again increased, adding a further 1.9% to reach over 29m cases for the first time. (Source : IWSR)
More and more rosé is being made in the French winegrowing areas. 2007 should beat all the records. In Provence, where they are clear favourites, rosés are powerful and heady, but the Provencal leader is being challenged by the Loire region with its rosé d’Anjou (up 9%) and its cabernet d’Anjou (up 18%). Bordeaux also intends to take advantage of the current trend to sell large volumes derived from running off red wines. (Source: La Revue du Vin de France)
Still light wine has been growing uninterrupted for years in the Czech Republic; a trend that continued in 2007, with the market recording a rise of 3.8% to around 13m nine-litre cases. Imported wines now account for almost 60% of the still light wine market, compared to mere 10% in the early 1990s. (Source: IWSR)
Egypt had the best year for spirits since the beginning of the century. Increasing tourism and economic growth are driving consumption up. In 2007, total spirits sales in Egypt rose by 8.4% to around 880 000 nine-litre cases. (Source: IWSR)
In 2006-2007, sales of spirits in Canada amounted to 4.5 billion dollars, an increase of 5.8% compared to 2005-2006. This growth is mainly due to a 10% increase in vodka sales. Over the period, the volumes of spirits sold increased by 1.8% to reach 206.1 million litres. (Source: Le Quotidien)
Burgundy organic winegrowing continues to grow and now covers 3.1% of the total area of the appellation. In 2007, Burgundy had 104 organic estates, 26% more than in 2006. (Source: VITI)
Having reached 20 million cases in 2006, Tequila consumption had grown by 24% from 1998. This is a very concentrated market with the ten leading consumer countries drinking 92% of the world total. The two leaders are the US with its high numbers of Mexican immigrants accounting for 50% of consumption and the home of Tequila, Mexico, with 35%. (Source: Revue Vinicole Internationale / The IWSR)
Displaying remarkable energy and world-class ambitions, Spain has clearly joined the club of the major wine producers of the planet. Although the local grape varieties such as tempranillo, monastrell, albarino and verdejo are still favourites, wine styles have become more self-assured and now attract an international clientele. (Source: La Revue du Vin de France)
According to the Conseil Interprofessionel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB), exports of claret were up 9% in 2007 to an historic high of €1.39bn. Volume was also up 7%. Much of that growth was due to increased sales of wines in the €4.50 to €15 price range. (Source: Wine Business International)
Mongolia’s largest producer of alcoholic drinks announced it would seek to introduce its two Mongolian vodkas to international markets. Strategy expansion plan is based on two main factors: the first being the rapid sales growth of white spirits and vodka in the world with the trendy culture to drink cocktails. (Source: Mongolia Web News)
The governing body for Navarra wines will allow a number of international grape varieties. Winemakers will be allowed to plant and produce wines made with syrah, pinot noir and sauvignon blanc, although it has yet to decide whether these varieties will eventually be allowed to come under the DO system. (Source: Harpers)
Non-Scotch whisky, comprising Irish, America, Canadian, Indian and Japanese whiskies, is one of the fastest growth areas of the wine and spirits industry. In 2006, this collective category reached 134.7m cases, a rise of 5.6% on 2005, and growth rates are accelerating. Preliminary figures for 2007 suggest the category added a further 8.7% to reach 146.m cases. (Source: IWSR)
According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, tequila imports into the USA have increased by 46% since 2002. This Mexican spirit has taken on the image of a sophisticated beverage in America, which is no longer drunk just in shots by young people with salt and a slice of lemon, but by working people who are prepared to pay up to $200 dollars (€130) per glass to experience a “super premium” tequila. (Source: Vinexpo)
