New figures from Loire Valley Wines show still wine exports to Australia increased 45% in the first six months of 2019 compared to the previous period.
Appreciation for international wines is on the rise in Australia, with the volume of imports entering Australia hitting 100 million litres for the first time in 2018–19.
According to Wine Australia there's been steady growth in wine imported by Australia over the past 20 years, growing by a compound annual rate of 7% over the period
Australia finally falls for Muscadet, while Rosé d’ Anjou booms
Those in the know have been singing the praises of this crowd pleaser from the Nantes coastal region for many years, but now its popularity is spiking.
A mix of organic viticulture, reduced yields and modern winemaking have elevated the Melon de Bourgogne grape to much more interesting levels. Dry, zippy and fresh, these thirst quenchers have increased by 166% in the first six months of 2019, to 141 Hectolitres.
Well-priced whites from Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc in the Anjou Saumur region have increased 31%, albeit from a smaller base. Fresh, textured Sauvignon Blancs at the lower entry price points have increased 46% from Touraine.
According to Just the Drop, these wines offer a huge amount of value and point of difference to the more tropical New Zealand Sauvignons. Producers and importers alike see this as a key battleground for Savvy dominance.
Sancerre reds from Pinot Noir have hooked into the medium bodied, approachable reds trend with a 750% increase, whilst only from a modest base (20 HL) all indications show Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Cabernet Franc wines from around the valley increasing in 2019.
Rosé d’ Anjou continues to drive volumes and value, up 68% to a massive 4,128 HL. According to Loire Valley Wines this pale pink rosé is "storming the off premise", as it offers greater value than similar wines from Provence.
The Loire Valley Trade initiative continues to tell the story of the Loire’s wines to the Australian wine trade, from the recent Tour de Table events in Sydney and Melbourne that engaged 150 trade professionals with some excellent examples of wines from around the region, to the upcoming Chenin Blanc masterclass series highlighting this noble and highly versatile variety. The Loire continues to find audiences in Australia’s rich food and wine culture.
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