The recent decision taken by Hong Kong to discontinue import duty on wine could provoke a knock-on effect in Macao, where the duty is at 15%, and particularly in continental China. (Source: VSB)

While still wine sales in French super- and hypermarkets fell in 2007, representing no more than 1.8% of total purchases in volume and value, sales of foreign sparkling wines grew both in volume (up 7.5%) and value (up 12.5%). Representing 5.39 million bottles worth €16.82 million, these wines’ market share has reached 3.3% in volume and 1.5% in value. (Source: VSB)

The Spanish group Osborne has signed a strategic partnership with The Wine Group in America, the third largest wine company in the world, for the latter to distribute Osborne brands and launch new products on the North American market. (Source: VSB)

Several dozen bottles 15 metres have been placed underwater in northern France to find out if the Champagne tastes better if it is kept in cold sea and rocked by currents than in a cellar. A cellarman came up with the idea after realising that the water temperature in the bay of Mont Saint-Michel, a constant 10 degrees Celsius, was ideal for ageing Champagne. (Source: Reuters)

India’s major wine producing state, Maharashtra, has produced a record vintage with 21m litres of wine produced, as compared to 13m litres last year. The increase is due to new acreage at India’s existing wineries, plus the emergence of several new wineries. While production is growing, sales have not kept pace, and even with the projected tripling of current consumption over three years, there is still likely to be excess wine in the system. (Source: Wine Business International)

According to an American study, labels with a simple design are associated by consumers with sincere wines that are good quality, sophisticated and often expensive. A more solidly designed label with greater depth and more visual impact, however, is perceived to represent wines of lesser quality that are plain, less well-made, but also cheaper. (Source: Findawine.com)

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)