aguay is still a small market, consuming a little less than 3 million cases of still light wines. It is however a vibrant market that has almost doubled in size (94%) in 8 years. Paraguay produces wine, but not enough today to satisfy its local demand. Its leading supplier, Argentina supplied 93% of the wine drunk in 2006, up 134% in 8 years. (Source: Revue Vinicole Internationale – The IWSR)

Ian Johnston has been appointed CEO of the Foster’s Group effect. Johnston replaces Trevor O’Hoy who left in July after Foster’s had just announced writedowns, attributed largely to the disappointing performance of the wine sector. It was Fosters' first loss in 16 years. (Source: Wine Business International)

Due in part to lower Chardonnay volumes, the 2008 yields, are expected to be lower than last year, a bumper harvest, which produced 338m bottles of champagne, 5% more than the 321m bottles produced in 2006. It is the only area left in France that exclusively harvestedby hand. (Source: Wine Business International)

Changyu, the leading Chinese wine producer has just posted net profits of $39.8 million for the first semester of 2008, up 46% compared to the same period last year. This remarkable performance was driven by growth in premium wine and brandy sales. (Source: VSB)

In the second half of 2007, The United States overtook the UK as the leading wine export market, largely due to the extraordinary popularity of German Rieslings amongst young American drinkers. Export sales to the US account for nearly €100 million, which is one quarter of Germany’s total wine export turnover. (Source: VSB)

With sales set to attain 30 million bottles, Crémant d’Alsace today represents 20% of all Alsace appellation wines sold and 30% of all French sparkling wines. Enjoyed mainly in the area where it is produced, it is also exported to neighbouring countries. The combined Crémant d’Alsace imports of Belgium and Luxemburg outstrip those of Germany. (Source: Le Figaro Magazine)

Brazilians drank 34.6 million cases of still light wines in 2006, making Brazil the second largest market in South America with 17% of the total, and sales growth of 31% compared to 1998. In the period 1998-2006, Brazil thus moved ahead of Chile, demonstrating its economic strength and the emergence of a middle class, whose standard of living increases regularly. (Source: Revue Vinicole  Internationale – The IWSR)