A major step forward in efforts to protect Scotch Whisky in on of its most important markets has been welcomed by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA). Following an SWA application, the Chinese Trade Mark Office under Administration of Industry & Commerce (AIC) has agreed to protect “Scotch Whisky” as a Geographical Indication (GI) by registering it as a “collective trade mark”. (Source: The Scotch Whisky Association)

Following a survey carried out by the European Confederation of  Independent Winegrowers (CEVI) amongst its members concerning problems met in the supply of glass bottles, responses received from France, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Luxemburg and Slovenia are alarming.

90.1% of the winegrowers who were questioned, had to pay higher prices for bottles, 63.6% met with problems of late delivery and 55% faced breakdowns in supply.

CEVI forwarded its findings to the European Commission’s General Directorate for Competition. (Source: European Confederation of  Independent Winegrowers)

In order to meet a growing demand for rosé, Provencal winegrowers have had to reduce their production of white and red wines. Thus today, rosé accounts for 87% of the Côtes-de-Provence and Coteaux Varois AOCs, and 73% of Coteaux d’Aix. Well ahead of the Val de Loire with 20% of French production, Provence is the country’s leader on the AOC rosé market. (Source: Var Matin)

Diageo, one of the leading wine and spirits company, is launching an innovative website designed to promote responsible drinking worldwide. The website, DRINKIQ.com, is a global resource for all interested parties to share programs and tools designed to fight alcohol misuse and help individuals make responsible choices about drinking. (Source: Diageo)

The popularity of rosé has been confirmed as new figures show the number of regular wine drinkers who drink rosé has risen by over 60% in the last three years. According to research commissioned by the WSTA, six of ten wine drinkers now drink rosé compared to less than four out ten in 2005.

This growth comes in part at the expense of red, with consumption of red wine falling by 10% over the past tree years. (Source: Decanter.com)

The market share of non-French wines in French super- and hypermarkets has stagnated at around 1.5% to 2% of sales for about ten years. Spanish wines have the lead, accounting for 50% of the volumes. Wines from North Africa come second with 20% of the total volume, followed by Portuguese (8%) and Italian wines (6%). New World wines only represent 14% of the volume of non-French wines sold. (Source: Boissons de France)

Cava, which originates from Catalonia in Spain, has in a short period of time undoubtedly become one the most important sparkling wines in the world, now representing 10.4% of the global sparkling market. In 2007, over 20 m 9-litre cases of Cava were made, of which 56% were exported. Germany, which bought 41 m bottles in 2007, is by far the largest client for Cava, followed by the UK with 32.7 m and the US with 14.4 m. (Source : Wine Business International)