Despite falling domestic consumption, increasing world demand has enabled Italian wines to take new international market share. Exports increased by 7.8% in 2007 compared to 6.5% growth in 2006. In value terms the difference between 2006 and 2007 amounted to 6.4%. Overall Italian wine turnover  reached €10 billion, while volumes produced amounted to around 48 million hectolitres. (Source: Revue Vinicole Internationale)

The European Union’s Council of Ministers formally approved the reform, which will enable to begin implementing policies to bring greater balance and more competitiveness to the wine market. The reform, which will take effect on 1 August,  provides for a fast restructuring of the wine sector in that it includes a voluntary, three-year grubbing-up scheme. “Instead of wasting money getting rid of unwanted surpluses, the reform will allow us to concentrate on taking on our competitors and winning back market share”, said Mariann Fischer Boel, commissioner for agriculture and rural development. (Source: Wine Business International)

Vinexpo Asia-Pacific,the exhibition of the world’s largest wines & spirits exhibition in Asia will be officially inaugurated on Tuesday 27 May at 3.00 pm by Mr Henry Tang Ying-yen, Chief Secretary for Administration, HKSARG, Mr Frederick Ma Si-hang, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development and Mrs Anne Marie Idrac, Secretary of ForeignTrade, France, and in the presence of Mrs Dominique Hériard Dubreuil, Chairman of Vinexpo Overseas.

The opening ceremony will be followed by a tour around the exhibition. (Source: Vinexpo)

Soju the beverage traditionally distilled from rice, but now from potatoes or cereals also, positions South Korea as the leading foreign supplier of spirits to Japan. Three soju brands are listed among the top ten most imported spirits in the Land of the Rising Sun. (Source: Revue Vinicole Internationale / The IWSR)

Constellation Brands, a leading international producer of beverage alcohol, announced it has reached an agreement in principle to sell its Valleyfield, Quebec, Canada, distillery and bottling facility to Diageo. Closing of the transaction is expected to occur in June 2008. (Source: CNW Telbec)

The United States has threatened to block all imports of Brunello di Montalcino from 9 June. From that date all Brunello coming into the US must be accompanied by laboratory analysis certifying that the wine is 100% Sangiovese.

The US is Brunello’s biggest market, importing 25% of total Brunello production. (Source: Decanter.com)

The worst spring frost since 1972 has taken its toll on Napa County, causing more than a million dollars in crop damage. Many growers have been running wind machines at full tilt, but night temperatures dipping have damaged some vineyards nonetheless. The frost may cut yields by 20% this year.  (Source: Decanter.com / Napavalleyregsiter.com)