The Indian state government of Karnataka announced a new wine policy, simplifying procedures for the production and marketing wine, allowing exclusive wine bars and promoting wine tourism. Modelled after Maharashtra, the “Karnataka Excise Rules 2008” announced aim to increase consumption of wine and boost the growth of grapes in the state. (Source: Wine Business International)

While visiting Bordeaux for the city’s wine festival “Bordeaux Fête le Vin” last june, Yvonne Choi, the island’s Secretary of State for Trade and Economic Development referred to Vinexpo 2010, saying, “I cross my fingers and hope that we will be chosen again”. (Source: Sud Ouest)

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)

The main rosé producing countries are also the main rosé consuming countries. Market competition for rosé wines remains essentially domestic. Europe is the leading rosé producing region with 75% of world production, significantly ahead of America with 20% and North Africa with 2%. France is the world leader with more than 5 million hectolitres accounting for 25% of world production, followed closely by Italy and Spain, who both produce close to 4 million hectolitres. (Source: Journée Vinicole)

Two new ports have arrived on the market causing a veritable revolution. They clearly aim to appeal to younger drinkers; one is organic and the other is a rosé port. (Source: Vinexpo)

At the end of April 2008, after several months of slowing business since the peak reached in October 2007, year-to-date deliveries of cognac returned to growth, up 11.4% compared to April 2007. This turnaround is attributable to Asian demand, up 14.7% over the last rolling twelve months, which compensates for the NAFTA decrease of 2.2%. Furthermore, China has become the 3^rd largest cognac market in the world, having overtaken UK (not counting re-consignments). (Source: VSB)

In 2007, 1.1 million tourists followed the Argentinean vineyard itineraries, 118% more than in 2006, a much higher rise than that in the general tourism figures. Mendoza is, of course, the leading wine growing region to attract the most visitors to its 96 cellars open to the public. (Source: VSB)