THE GERMANS SAY “ITALIAN WINE ÜBER ALLES”. IN THE HOME OF BEER, WINE EXPORTS FROM ITALY INCREASE (517 MILLION LITERS IN 2009, +4,1% OVER 2008) AS MUCH AS FRANCE, SPAIN AND CHILE ALL TOGETHER…

The Germans say “Italian wine über alles”. Italian wines take Germany by storm, to the point that Berlin imported 517 million liters of wine from Italy in 2009, more than double from France, and three times more than Spain, says the German Federal Statistical Office. But there’s more. Italian wines have taken over the wine market from their French and Spanish competitors: in 2009 Italy increased exports by 4.8%, while France fell 5.1% and Spain fell 10.8%.

In 2009, Italy exported as much wine to Germany as France, Spain, South Africa and Chile put together. German wine exports, instead have declined: 323 million gallons exported (less 5% over 2009). The biggest fans of German wine were the Dutch with 71 million liters imported (plus 10.1%) followed by Britain with 65 million (less 16.9%) and the United States with 27 million liters (less 7.6%). As for Italian wine, the opportunity to strengthen the bond with the Germans will be at “Prowein”, the most important wine fair in Germany, in Düsseldorf, from March 21 to 23.