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 16 February, with many Asian journalists and buyers in attendance.

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 tripled, 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%.”