Spanish wine export data for 1Q 2006

The Spanish Wine Federation (the FEV in its Spanish acronym) has released data on wine exports for the first quarter 2006.

The general trends are as follows:

Nearly every category except bottled wines from D.O.'s (denominaciones de origen) has dropped in volume and in value. Decreases were seen in bulk D.O. wines (down 10% in volume and 6% in value), bottled and bulk table wines (off 5% and 10% in volume, respectively) and cava (down 6% in volume and 10% in value). Bottled D.O. wines were up for Reds and Rosados by 10% in volume and 20% in value, and Whites continued their impressive growth: slightly down in value (-2%) but up 19% in volume. The most impressive category was that of vinos de aguja, or mildly sparkling wines, which was up by an astounding 5755% in volume and 1334% in value to reach 1.7 million liters and 1.2 million euros in sales. (Note: one of my favorite wines of this type is produced by Gramona; their Moustillant Blanc)

All categories combined showed an increase of 3.5% in value and a drop of 3% in value; meaning that prices (or exchange rates) are increasing and/or buyers are moving to more up-market products.