Sopexa Wine Trade Monitor: by 2020 Italy heading to Canada and China

In the future of the world wine market, French wines will still be undisputable. Italian wines though, will be right behind them, gaining ground especially in Canada and China. Spain and Chile will continue to focus on price, and organic products will be the best performers in the top 3 categories, while Prosecco and Cava will continue to be ever more appreciated, and Chenin Blanc will be pushing its way up to nestle among the great international vines. These, in a nutshell, are the trends the Sopexa Wine Trade Monitor 2018 has forecasted for 2020. The report included the points of view of professionals in the sector (importers, agents, wholesalers, distributors and e-commerce pure players) from six key countries for wine trade: Belgium, the United States, Canada, China, Hong Kong and Japan. As mentioned above, French wines will remain at the top for 9 out of 10 professionals, followed by Italian wines (76%) and Spanish wines (71%). And, at the same time, Chile, Australia and the United States are becoming more and more important. 41% of professionals have indicated Italy in the countries of origin whose sales will progress most from today to 2020, while for one out of two, France will maintain its leading role, in particular in the US, Hong-Kong and Belgium, and Italian wines will instead give them a difficult time in China and Canada. Regarding the parameters of "the attractiveness of prices" Spain and Chile stand out ahead of Italy. Shifting our attention to different categories, for the first time organic wines are in the top 3 of the most promising (for over 35% of professionals), and the denominations will continue to sell, confirming as the criterion of greater also in 2020. The rosé category will continue to grow in North America. Among the regions that will lead the international markets, we find France at the top with Bordeaux, Languedoc, Côtes du Rhône and Burgundy, while the white wines of Marlborough (New Zealand), the rosé wines of Provence and Corsica will also be good and, for the bubbles, the most awaited and sought after on the markets will still be Prosecco and Cava. In terms of varieties, leaders will still be Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and the success of Chenin Blanc in the USA could be a new trend.