China shows thirst for Tuscan whites

China has become Tuscany¡¯s third largest market for white wines.

According to Giuseppe Liberatore, director general of Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico, the market for white wines from Tuscany reached €1.9 million in China in 2011, accounting for 11.6% of the region¡¯s total.

¡°The export of quality white wines to China in 2011 is in net growth, reaching approximately €1.9 million and equal to 11.6% of the Tuscan total in the world, making the country the third market,¡± he said at a press conference during the BuyWine fair taking place in Florence on February 16, with many Asian journalists and buyers in attendence.

Speaking of red wine exports, he added, ¡°The Chinese market passed from 10th to 8th place in just one year, and the export of Tuscan red wines from January to September 2011 almost trippled, passing from €1.7 in 2010 to €4.3 in 2011.¡±

Outside China, Liberatore stressed the growth in Brazil. ¡°With approximately 3.4 million red wines exported during the first nine months of 2011 (1.1% of the total Tuscan imports) Brazil is the tenth market for Tuscany and in one year has grown 54.2%.¡±