In order to respond to growth in the world demand for scotch whisky, Diageo has just invested £12 million (€17.35 million) in a new bottling chain for Johnnie Walker with a capacity of 300 bottles per minute, approximately equivalent to 4.5 million cases per year. (Source: Top drinks)

The Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux has announced the launch of a carbon analys for the Bordeaux wine sector. The bilan carbone is essential for beginning a deliberation about its ecological impact and determining measures which aim to efficiently reduce the level of greenhouse gas emission. Results are expected for September 2008. In France, some compagnies as Rémy Cointreau, Hennesy, and The Vignerons de Vacqueyras Winery have already calculated their carbon analysis.(Source: CIVB / EuroWine)

While screw caps are frequently used in the “Anglo-Saxon” countries, the American critic Robert Parker has stated that they are practical and desirable for everyday wines, but not for great wines that need to age for periods of longer than 5 years. (Source: Le Figaro)

According to a report just released, 21,722 hectares were planted with Riesling, bringing its total to 21.3% of the country’s 102,026 hectares of vineyard area. That is 500 hectares more than in 2006. According to Monika Reule, managing director of the Deutsches Weininstitut, 60% of the world’s Riesling plantations are located in Germany. She attributes the continued growth to “the rising demand, especially in export markets.” (Source : Wine Business International)

Taking advantage of the strong demand for sparkling wines, sales of Asti Spumante rose by 11% in 2007 to reach 78, 8 M bottles. Nearly 80% of that volume is sold off-shore. Germany with 15, 6 M bottles (+5,2%) remains Asti’s largest market, followed by the United States with 12, 4 M bottles. But the most impressive growth was registered in Russia, where sales were up 48% to 7 M bottles. (Source: Wine Business International)

Analysts estimate that the recent discontinuation of customs duty on wine in Hong Kong should generate US$500 million of wine-related business. One of the activities that shows promise in the future Asian wine trading hub is auctions. Several merchants have just announced that they were soon going to organise sales in the former British colony. (Source: VSB)