Italian sparkling wine sales up in 2007 - figures

Sales of Italian sparkling wine rose markedly last year, according to recently-released figures.

Trade body the Consorzio dell'Asti Spumante said late last week that sales of sparkling wine from the country in 2007 increased by 11.9% on 2006, totalling 78.8m bottles.

Exports from members of the trade organisation climbed by 13%, the consortium noted, accounting for 80% of total output from its members.

The organisation highlighted the strong growth of exports to Russia - up 48% year-on-year - and the UK - a climb of 13.1% - in releasing the results.