A practical guide on Burgundy wines has been sent to wine professionals in China. This book written in simplified Chinese, which can be read and understood in all China’s provinces, explains the basics about Burgundy wines: their history, the grape varieties, the terroirs, the appellations and how to serve them, etc. About forty pages help importers and traders better explain the subtleties and variety of Burgundy wines to their customers. (Source: Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins de Bourgogne)

With a growth at around 18% per annum to reach around 70m cases in 2007, Indian whisky is one of the most dynamic non-scotch whiskies. (Source: IWSR)

Heirs of two thousands years of tradition, coopers have always fully contributed to the universe of wine and spirits, even if only 2% of total world production is matured in barrels. Vital element in this universe: time. From the moment an oak tree is formed to the moment of tasting a fine wine passed 200 years! (Source: Sommeliers International)

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)