WINE & FOOD INSTITUTE: ITALIAN WINES IN THE U.S. CONTINUE TO INCREASE… AND ON FEBRUARY 21 AND 25, 2008, “GALA ITALIA” IN NEW YORK AND LOS ANGELES WILL BE PUTTING ITALIAN ART AND FASHION ON SHOW ALONG WITH THE COUNTRY’S WINES

The increase in Italian wine exports to the United States continues its rise: in the first seven months of 2007, an 11.3% increase in quantity and 10.1% in value was registered. This is the latest data from the Italian Wine & Food Institute, which also noted that the main competitors were not having, on the other hand, such continued success: Australian wine imports registered a much more modest increase of 1.3% in quantity and 5% in value. France, however, has made even more positive growth with 12% in quantity and 6.2% in value.

For the period between January and July 2007, Italian wine imports to the United States totaled 1,320,190 hectoliters for a value of 638.13 million dollars, versus 1,186,370 hectoliters for a value of 579.76 million dollars in the same period of 2006. For Australia, the 2007 total was 1,172,980 hectoliters for a value of 420.19 million dollars compared to 1,157,990 hectoliters worth 400.17 million dollars. And in France, the total this year was 609,600 hectoliters for a value of 472.93 million dollars compared to 544,420 hectoliters worth 444.91 million dollars in 2006.

The note released by the Italian Wine & Food Institute (which has monitored the U.S. wine market for years) also observed that, “total imports to the U.S. reached 4,385,230 hectoliters worth 2.03 billion dollars, versus 3,892,960 hectoliters worth 1.82 billion dollars in 2006, for an increase of 12.6% in quantity and 11.4% in value”.

“The continued positive growth of Italian exports, regardless of the continued appreciation of the euro, constitutes” – explained Lucio Caputo, president of the Italian Wine & Food Institute – “a favorable omen for ‘Gala Italia’, the most important and prestigious Italian wine event, which, this year, will also put art and fashion on the scene and serve as a further contribution to the image of Italian wines on the grand American market”.