FRANCE: Burgundy wine sales lift in Q4

After 18 months of continuous decline, Burgundy wine exports increased by almost 6% in volume in the final quarter of 2009, according to regional wine trade body BIVB.

Exports in 2009 as a whole decreased by 15.7% in volume on the previous year, to 78.6m bottles. Value exports were down 22.1% to EUR496m (US$663.7m).

However, BIVB pointed to a resurgence in the final three months, particularly in December. 

The trade body noted that the fall in exports for the year had been less sharp than originally feared.

But, it added: “Burgundy has suffered from its mid to top-of-the-range positioning and its very strong links with the UK and the US.”