Only couple of years ago producers from Italy used to say China was not mature enough to embrace their top quality labels. Now with the recession hovering over their main markets in Europe and the United States, makers of premium Italian wines are turning to China where wine is becoming increasingly popular and newly rich easily splash out on a top-price bottle. the French and other wine producers have been faster than Italians in realizing the huge growth potential of the Chinese market: Italian wine exports to China remain tiny at about €16 million in 2007 compared with total Italian wine exports of about €2.8 billion a year. (Source: Reuters)

The “centrale de réservation” is available for visitors and exhibitors to reserve hotel rooms or bed & breakfast with a minimum of comfort guaranteed.

All the lodgings that have been visited and inspected have a description sheet with photos. These information sheets are sent out in response to all requests that are addressed to the “centrale de réservation”. Tel. + 33 556 119 950 - E-mail: hotel@bordeaux-expo.com (Source: Vinexpo)

Chateau Indage is the biggest wine producer in India with some 32 still and sparkling wine brands. With its 2.500 hectare estate and 137 grape varieties, Chateau Indage has a 15 million liter production capacity. It is the number one Indian producer and exporter of sparkling wines in some 69 countries. (Source: Eurowine)

Oz Clarke is the most-recognised wine critic in the UK, a new poll claims. The Wine Intelligence survey, which polled the views of more than 1,500 regular UK wine drinkers, revealed that Clarke was the most familiar to them. (Source: Decanter.com)

For 12 years now, Vinexpo has commissioned a forward-looking study on the production and consumption of wines and spirits in the world.

Entrusted to British consultants The IWSR for the 7^th consecutive year, this study analyses changes in production in 28 countries and in consumption patterns in 114 countries. (Source: Vinexpo)

In order to avoid unreliable translations of the great Bordeaux chateaux, the Singapore journalist Ching Pioh Tong has proposed to set up a system based on the French pronunciation of these names. All the grands crus classés and all the wines belonging to the Union des Grands Crus are involved. The certified translation can be used by all Chinese importers and distributors and will prevent counterfeiting and fraudulent copyrighting of similar-sounding brands. (Source: VSB)

US Trade Representative Susan Schwab has announced that the World Trade Organization (WTO) Appellate Body has found in favour of the US against India’s additional and extra-additional duties on wine and spirits. India has imposed these duties on US imports in addition to and on top of its basic customs duty, resulting in combined duties on imports of alcoholic beverages of up to 550%. (Source: Wine Business International.com)