Vodka has overtaken scotch to become Britain’s favourite spirit for the first time, new industry figures reveal. Traditional blended whiskies have been knocked off the top spot by heavily marketed vodka brands which have appealed to a younger, trendier market. Sales of vodka increased by 11% to €948 million in the year to April, while blended whisky sales only nudged ahead by 1% to €942 million. (Source: The Herald)

The Société des Alcools du Québec liquor monopoly generated net consolidated profit of 482 million euros at the end of March 2008, an increase of 7.5% compared to the previous year. (Source: VSB)

Originating in the Rhône-Alpes region of France, the Syrah (Chiraz) grape variety was so widely used in the south that it became the fourth most important variety in France. This success has been mirrored internationally for about fifteen years with approximately 146,000 hectares of it growing all over the world. (Source: VITI)

The Wine Promotion Manager of Hellenic Foreign Trade Export says the objective is to double Greek wine exports in 5 years. Greek vineyards now cover 71,177 hectares, making Greece the 6th largest European wine producing country, but only 10% of the wines produced are exported, and 50% of this is sent to Germany. The main target markets are North America, Benelux, UK and Scandinavia. (Source: Revue Vinicole Internationale)

Argentina will be the largest southern hemisphere wine producer in 2008 with 15.25 million hectolitres (compared to 15.04 in 2007), according to the International Vine and Wine Organisation. Argentina, which also boasts the largest winegrowing area equivalent to 230,000 hectares, is also the biggest consumer, drinking 11.16 million hectolitres. (Source: VSB)

The wine growers of the Alsace region in northeast France are trying to boost sales by promoting the combination of their mostly white wines with cheese. Yselise Sciard of the Alsace wine growers association said that “usually when cheeses arrive on the table a bottle of red wine is opened, but in fact 80% of cheeses marry very well with whites”. Of the 1.2 million hectolitres of Alsace wines –more than 160 million bottles – 91% are white… (Source: Reuters)

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)