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)

Because it is sometimes difficult for non-expert consumers to find their way through the different categories of wine and 480 AOCs, the plan devised to modernise the French wine industry provides for three new categories designed to make the different levels of classification more comprehensible. From August 2009, French wines will belong to one of three classes: those that bear no geographical indication (the present vins de pays), wines that refer to a specific area (the present PDOs - Protected Designation of Origin) and between the two a new category, the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) will be set up. (Source: La Tribune.fr)

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)

The university and India’s largest winemaker, Champagne Indage, have signed a memorandum of understanding to set up the Indian Institute of Vine and Wine. Set on north of India’s wine production of Pune, the project has received a €15 million investment. Projections suggest that the Indian wine industry will require 10,000 viticulturists, 5000 winery operators, 1000 wine makers, 2500 wine marketing executives and 500 wine experts over the next five years. (Source: Foodweek.com)