Exports of Catalan Wines up 18% in 2007

Last month the D.O. Penedes wine association UVIPE released figures showing impressive export growth for Catalan wines. From 2006 to 2007, exports rose by 17.8% in value and by 2.5% in volume, reflecting a 15% increase in prices. According to UVIPE the majority of exports went to other EU countries, while the drop in the value of the dollar and increase in the euro had hurt many Catalan wine exporters. UVIPE estimates that in order to absorb the shift in currency valuations, regional exporters have incurred charges of up to 10 million euros.