Blog Vinexpo

Uruguay’s still light wine consumption decreases

2008-10-13T16:49:11.469+02:00

Having consumed 9.4 million cases of still light wines in 2006, Uruguay is the fourth largest market in Latin America , and its volumes are 13% lower than in 1998. Uruguay is traditionally a wine producer and is the leading supplier of its own domestic market with a 98% share. (Source: Revue Vinicole Internationale – The IWSR)

Boisset sells its spirits division in France

2008-10-13T14:17:31.985+02:00

The Boisset group, a wine and spirits trader with €277 million turnover, is to sell its spirits division to La Martiniquaise for an undisclosed sum. Having been built up over time, this business is worth about €85 million. Through this acquisition, La Martiniquaise, one of the leading French spirits groups with nearly €700 million turnover, widens its product range. Boisset, on the other hand, should use the money from this sale to strengthen its portfolio of wines, especially sparkling wines. (Source: Les Echos)

Russia: Market for wine set grow

2008-10-13T11:20:26.969+02:00

Wine consumption per capita more than doubled from 2.5 litres in 1996 to over 5 in 2007. There is a good reason to believe that in the next 15 years, the gap between Russian and European levels of consumption may close entirely. Official figures report that consumption in Russia grew from 500m litres of still wine and 100m litres of sparkling in 2000 to 800m litres of still and 220m of sparkling in 2007. (Source: Wine Business International)

Quality has more to offer for consumers’ enjoyment

2008-10-10T17:11:06.25+02:00

“We need to show young people that quality has more to offer in terms of enjoyment and excitement than quantity,” says Jean-Robert Pitte, President of the French Mission for Food Heritage and Cultures. (Source: La Revue du Vin de France)

Belvedere may sell Marie Brizard

2008-10-10T15:10:45.906+02:00

Franco-Polish spirits group Belvedere is reported to be preparing to sell its star liqueur Marie Brizard and various whisky brands acquired for high prices two years ago, in order to reduce debts. This would represent the end of the Group’s ambitious expansion plans to become a world market leader capable of rivalling Pernod-Ricard, for example. (Source: Le Figaro Economie)

Fortune Brands winds up transactions with Pernod Ricard

2008-10-10T11:23:45.453+02:00

Fortune Brands has announced that it has finalised its transactions with Pernod Ricard and has notably received €160 million in compensation for the premature termination of the joint-venture agreement regarding the distribution of spirits in the US . Fortune Brands added that it has acquired the rum brand Cruzan from the French group for €70 million. (Source: Reuters)

China: Diageo consolidates its position on the traditional spirits market

2008-10-10T10:04:25.985+02:00

Diageo has just announced that it has increased its shareholding in the traditional Sichuan distillery Quanxing from 43% to 49%. Diageo, who “has confidence in the potential of Chinese spirits”, undertakes to strengthen its support of the Shui Jing Fang brand internationally, under which Quanxing’s top premium products are sold. (Source: VSB)

Still light wine market is vibrant in Paraguay

2008-10-09T16:29:31.941+02:00

aguay is still a small market, consuming a little less than 3 million cases of still light wines. It is however a vibrant market that has almost doubled in size (94%) in 8 years. Paraguay produces wine, but not enough today to satisfy its local demand. Its leading supplier, Argentina supplied 93% of the wine drunk in 2006, up 134% in 8 years. (Source: Revue Vinicole Internationale – The IWSR)

Foster’s appoints new CEO

2008-10-09T14:09:05.336+02:00

Ian Johnston has been appointed CEO of the Foster’s Group effect. Johnston replaces Trevor O’Hoy who left in July after Foster’s had just announced writedowns, attributed largely to the disappointing performance of the wine sector. It was Fosters' first loss in 16 years. (Source: Wine Business International)

Champagne harvest looks to be lower

2008-10-09T10:33:30.728+02:00

Due in part to lower Chardonnay volumes, the 2008 yields, are expected to be lower than last year, a bumper harvest, which produced 338m bottles of champagne, 5% more than the 321m bottles produced in 2006. It is the only area left in France that exclusively harvestedby hand. (Source: Wine Business International)

Changyu’s profit grows thanks to premium product sales

2008-10-09T09:01:02.622+02:00

Changyu, the leading Chinese wine producer has just posted net profits of $39.8 million for the first semester of 2008, up 46% compared to the same period last year. This remarkable performance was driven by growth in premium wine and brandy sales. (Source: VSB)

US is leading importer of German Rieslings

2008-10-08T16:43:28.961+02:00

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)

France - Crémant d’Alsace gains significant market share

2008-10-08T14:43:08.656+02:00

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)

Brazil consumes more still light wines

2008-10-08T11:13:05.796+02:00

Brazilians drank 34.6 million cases of still light wines in 2006, making Brazil the second largest market in South America with 17% of the total, and sales growth of 31% compared to 1998. In the period 1998-2006, Brazil thus moved ahead of Chile , demonstrating its economic strength and the emergence of a middle class, whose standard of living increases regularly. (Source: Revue Vinicole Internationale – The IWSR)

Peru increases its pisco production

2008-10-08T09:36:23.781+02:00

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)

Uk distribution: Rothschild go direct

2008-10-07T17:38:40.125+02:00

John E Fells & Sons will no longer be the exclusive UK distributor for Bordeaux producer Baron Philippe de Rothschild’s (BPhR) wines. Rothschild has announced a new distribution strategy for the UK , and BPhR will now deal with the UK multiples directly and it is establishing a system of regional agents. “We decided the best way to approach the UK is to go direct”, said trade relations manager for BPhR. (Source: Harpers)

Palandri becomes 3 Oceans

2008-10-07T14:01:12.421+02:00

Western Australian producer Palandri Wines will now be known as 3 Oceans Wine after being purchased by Chinese businessman Xibo Ma. He was previously the second biggest shareholder in Palandri. (Source: Harpers)

Increase of Argentine wine imports into US

2008-10-07T10:52:36.14+02:00

In the first half of 2008, imports of Argentine wine into the US exceeded 2.1 million 12-bottle cases, worth more than €48 million, an increase of 44.5% compared to 2007. (Source: VSB)

EU tackles India for the second time

2008-10-07T10:04:09.875+02:00

The European Union’s rumbles with India continued as it started new dispute proceeding against the country at the World Trade Organization. Last year, the EU halted proceedings against India after the government agreed to lower so-called ‘additional duty” on imported wines and spirits. According to the EU, the three states involved in the current dispute proceedings, Goa, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, have continued to penalise imports by imposing discriminatory taxes and restrictions on European wine and spirits. (Source: The drinks business)

French and Bulgarian table wines suffer from Russian diplomacy

2008-10-07T09:23:04.078+02:00

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)

Foster’s first loss in Australia in 16 years

2008-10-06T14:08:11.312+02:00

Australian group Foster’s has posted its first loss in 16 years, down €238.1 million. This negative result is mainly attributable to decreases in its wine business amounting to a 5.7% fall in volumes sold and to the effect of the climbing Australian dollar. (Source: VSB)

Bernard Arnault and Albert Frère buy another wine estate in France

2008-10-06T11:09:57.781+02:00

Bernard Arnault the chairman of luxury group LVMH and Albert Frère the Belgian millionaire businessman, who are already co-owners of Château Cheval Blanc, have just taken over another Saint-Emilion property – the 15-hectare (37-acre) estate of Château Quinault. (Source: La lettre CHR-CHD )

Japan: Saké industry threatened by toxic rice

2008-10-06T09:29:41.39+02:00

Japan ’s sake industry is facing a serious consumer scare with the discovery of contaminated rice used in the production of its rice based alcoholic beverages.

The sake industry is already facing tough market conditions, with sales failing steadily. According to finance industry figures, consumption has fallen every year since 1995 to a record low of 700.000 kilolitres in 2006.

But at the same time, sake consumption is on the rise overseas, benefiting from the global popularity of Japanese food: exports rose to a record high of 11.334 kilolitres last year, up from 7.051 in 2001. (Source: Decanter.com)

France – “A product that has been banned cannot succeed as an export”

2008-10-03T16:19:15.687+02:00

"A product that has been banned, condemned in its own original country, cannot succeed in the long term as an export. Can’t it be understood that talking about wine is not encouraging people to abuse alcohol? Surely, those who condemn it can try to understand and give us a chance to prove our point?”

Jean-Marie Chadronnier, former MD of wine merchants CVBG and Bordeaux winegrower. (Source: Le Point)

Record exports in Uruguay

2008-10-03T14:03:36.531+02:00

In 2008, exports of Uruguayan wines, whose production is currently being developed, should break an all-time record at 13 to 14 million litres. The main importer of this small producer is Russia . (Source VSB)

Harvest 2008: Italy overtakes France

2008-10-03T12:00:06.734+02:00

According to a statement from the main Italian wine producers union, Italy will harvest an estimated 48m hectolitres of wine, while French estimates are in the region of 43-44m hectolitres. It is about 4m hectolitres more wine than France . (Source: Wine Business International.com)

France sells less wine but at higher prices

2008-10-03T10:27:10.312+02:00

The value of French wine exports in the first half of 2008 increased by 8.2% to reach €3.2 billion. However the volumes exported decreased significantly by 8.7% compared to last year. The main categories to be forsaken by foreign drinkers were table wines and vins de pays. AOC wines, meanwhile, pushed the overall market upwards with exports increasing in value by 18%, despite a slight fall in volume of 1%. (Le Figaro)

China moves to protect a dram of Scotch Whisky

2008-10-02T14:38:42.361+02:00

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)

Glass supply problems in Europe

2008-10-02T11:05:53.354+02:00

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)

France - the miracle of Provence rosé wines

2008-10-02T09:49:41.342+02:00

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)

Diageo takes responsible drinking online

2008-10-01T15:35:01.39+02:00

Diageo, one of the leading wine and spirits company, is launching an innovative website designed to promote responsible drinking worldwide. The website, DRINKIQ.com, is a global resource for all interested parties to share programs and tools designed to fight alcohol misuse and help individuals make responsible choices about drinking. (Source: Diageo)

Great Britain: confirmation of the popularity of rosé

2008-10-01T14:17:37.39+02:00

The popularity of rosé has been confirmed as new figures show the number of regular wine drinkers who drink rosé has risen by over 60% in the last three years. According to research commissioned by the WSTA, six of ten wine drinkers now drink rosé compared to less than four out ten in 2005.

This growth comes in part at the expense of red, with consumption of red wine falling by 10% over the past tree years. (Source: Decanter.com)

Non-French wine sales stagnate in French hyper- and supermarkets

2008-10-01T11:00:50.843+02:00

The market share of non-French wines in French super- and hypermarkets has stagnated at around 1.5% to 2% of sales for about ten years. Spanish wines have the lead, accounting for 50% of the volumes. Wines from North Africa come second with 20% of the total volume, followed by Portuguese (8%) and Italian wines (6%). New World wines only represent 14% of the volume of non-French wines sold. (Source: Boissons de France)

Spain: Cava, one the most important sparkling wine

2008-10-01T09:39:24.75+02:00

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)

Australia: performance in Asia for wine exports

2008-09-30T17:46:06.906+02:00

Australian wine exports to Asia showed value growth in the year, increasing by 6% to €149m, according to the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation. In particular, growth in China (+17%), Hong Kong (+24%) and South Korea (+10%) was very strong. (Source: Wine Business International.com)

France sees outbreak of “maladie du bois” (wood sickness)

2008-09-30T14:12:51+02:00

An increase in a fatal vine disease known as “maladie du bois” in Bordeaux , Cognac and Gascony , has led to calls for an area of southwest France to be declared in state of emergency. The disease attacks the wood part of the vine plant, and the rate of infection depends very much on the region and the grape variety, but globally the disease is progressing due to the wetter weather. (Source: Wine Business International.com)

Germany: Wine exports up in value, down in volume

2008-09-30T09:14:20.968+02:00

Despite a decline of 1% in volume to 200m litres, exports of German wines rose by 2% in value to €398m in the 12 months through June 2008, according to statistics released by the Deutsches Wine Institute (DWI). Announcing the figures, Monika Reule, the managing director of the DWI, declared herself satisfied with the results, adding: “Turnover of all German wine exports has increased by 43% since 2000. Given the limited size of Germany ’s vineyard area, we are more interested in value than volume”. (Source: Wine Business International.com)