Wine production up, sales down

 Latest figures show Australia's wine industry produced more than 25 per cent more wine in 2007-2008 compared to last season, despite a fall in sales.

Research by the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows red and rose wine production grew by 40 per cent to 673 million litres, with white production up 15 per cent to 553 million litres.

Despite the rise in production, exports fell by 9.2 per cent and domestic sales fell by 5.4 per cent.

The United Kingdom is Australia's largest export market, valued at just under $900 million.

Western Australia made up 3.4 per cent of the wine produced in Australia, compared to the leading production region, South Australia, which produced 45.3 per cent of the national crush.