by Michèle Shah
Italy’s spumante sales for the first six months of 2008 registered a 60% increase in value and a 10% increase in volume over 2007 exports, according to a study carried out by Osservatorio Nazionale Economico Spumanti (Ones). In value, this equates to €1.3bn and 320m bottles.
Consumption of both imported Champagnes and locally produced sparkling wines are rising rapidly in Italy, the world’s fourth largest importer of Champagne. In 2007, Italy’s champagne imports registered a 11% increase on 2006, selling over 10m bottles.
The Ones report states that 72% of sparkling wine in Italy is consumed over a period of 25 days, creating a seasonal high around Christmas and New Year. While exports of sparkling wines are higher around the festive season, they continue throughout the year. Prosecco leads the way, mainly due to its value for money quality.
Italian sparkling sales for 2007:
299m bottles of Italian sparkling exported
153m bottles produced nationally sold in Italy
165m bottles of sparkling wine, including imported sparkling and Champagne, sold in Italy
€2.3bn spent on Italian sparkling wines
