ITALIAN SPARKLING WINE REACHES RECORD NUMBERS WITH EXPORTS: IF NEW YEAR’S SALES GO AS PREDICTED ITALY’S BUBBLIES WILL SELL 345 MILLION BOTTLES. ESTIMATE BY THE SPUMANTE FORUM DIRECTOR, GIAMPIETRO COMOLLI

If New Year’s sales go as predicted, and the global consumption trend of Italian sparkling wine continues then total export sales could surpass 345 million bottles, which is the equivalent of a +5% increase in volume and a +4% increase in value over 2008. This is the estimate that was made recently by Giampietro Comolli, director of Forum degli Spumanti & Bollicine d’Italia.

“Consumption over the next two months will be crucial” – said Comolli – “but the data, regardless, is a sign that Italian products have pull. In 2009 the national market is forecast as stable, therefore the increase in quantity and the final earnings forecast is determined by exports”.

Obviously, the growth in value is limited if it is compared to the 16% increase in 2008 over 2007 but, in any case, it is still a positive fact and, noted Comolli, “in counter-trend in respect to the forecasts for other products and the situation in general”.

The product that is registering the largest growth is Prosecco, but the Italian sparkling wine sector as a whole has been successful. Comolli concluded, “it is linked to the fact that national sparkling wines respond to the precise and direct needs of the consumer: lower alcohol levels, simplicity, it goes with all types of cooking, the price is in line with spending goals”.