Vinexpo

The Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) has seen a 200% increase in its Hong Kong and China business over the last year and will open a dedicated office in the region within two years.

Over the first half of 2011, the Vranken-Pommery group recorded a turnover of 126.7 million euros, up by 5% - an increase due to international activity.

Hampered by a strong New Zealand dollar, the kiwi producer Delegats, whose assets include the Oyster Bay brand

India and Malaysia have just registered “Cognac” as a geographical indication (GI), making two new victories for the National Cognac Board (BNIC).

Chinese drinkers are developing a taste for better-quality Australian wine, with export sales falling by volume but surging in value during the past 12 months.

Estates and Wines, the LVMH subsidiary responsible for non-French brands of wine, has long been producing and marketing Chandon sparkling wines in Argentina, California, Brazil and Australia.

Three quarters of wine consumers surveyed by research company Wine Intelligence said they often go online to look for wine information, with 62% frequently using social media as a source.

Between January and July 2011, Chile exported 7,987 hectolitres of wine to Vietnam, worth €2.5 million, an 11.2% increase in volume equivalent to 20.3% more value.

L’Ecole du Vin de France has already been active in Hong Kong for a year providing consulting services to distributors and hotel groups.

In the first quarter of 2011, Spanish wine imports into China increased by 76.9% in value and 40.8% in volume compared to the same period the previous year.