Wine production in Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, the Lebanon and Jordan represents 1. 3 million hectolitres per year, or 146 million bottles. Turnover is close to €220 million and has created 50,000 jobs. (Source: Le Figaro)

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)

French group Vin & Société wants to demand an update of the 1991 Evin Law governing alcohol publicity, and currently visiting wine bodies around France to inform them of how bad the situation is. Under the current law governing alcohol advertising in France, the websites of iconic French wines are actually illegal. “We are in an absurd situation, we have to defend the place of wine in French society”, said Marie-Christine Tarby, presidente of Vin & Société. (Source: Sud Ouest / Wine Business International)

Exports of Austrian bottled wine jumped 30% in 2007. Austria exported 35,8 millions litres of wine valued at €91,8m in 2007, up from the 28,6 millions litres worth €69,4m in 2006. (Source: Decanter.com)

In the first two months of the year, the US imported Chilean wines worth €8 million, while UK bought €7.6 million worth. (Source: VSB)

The American administration will make it required over the next few years to indicate content in alcohol, calories, proteins and fats of wines. The American wine sector has expressed is concern about the form of this labelling, the way the alcohol content is to be indicated and the cost of the measure (Source: EuroWine).

Chile’s leading wine exporter planned to invest $60 million in 2008, mostly to acquire and develop vineyards and boost capacity. Concha y Toro had 2007 profit of $68 million, nearly double the year ago. (Source: Reuters)