2005 export: Spanish white wine takes off

The Federación Español de Vino have recently released export data on Spanish wine for 2005 January through August.

The story continues to be the impressive surge in white wine exports. White wines from D.O. regions have topped 110 million euros for these 8 months, an astounding 95% increase from the same period in 2004. Volume has risen by 80%, meaning that the world is buying much more Spanish white at higher prices.

Spanish white wines have improved greatly over the last few years and the world is noticing. Of course, Chardonnay plantings have increased a great deal, but wine makers have sought to accent their local white grapes, too, which makes a great deal of sense as they have the lead in working with the local varieties, while Chardonnay is grown and used around the world.
Most noted Spanish white varieties are Albariño and Verdejo, but there are many others gaining in stature, such as Godello, Garnacha Blanca and Hondarrabi Zuri, which is used to make the refreshingly acidic Basque wine Txakoli (cha-KO-li), to name but three.

In other categories, there has been a continuing drop in bulk wine exports in total volume (-9%) , total value (-14%) and average price per liter (-6%). This has being off-set by increases for bottled wines from D.O. and Vinos de la Tierra regions in total value (D.O. bottled wines are up 4% and VdlT are up 13%), volume (D.O. +7%, VdlT +9%), but average per liter prices have been mixed(D.O. - 2.5%, VdlT + 4%).

Cava (Spanish traditional method sparkling wines) are up 4% in total value shipped and +1.5% in volume.