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Bordeaux exports to China ‘at highest level’
Exports of Bordeaux wine to China reached the highest level this year, with a growth of 22% from 2015, according to the CIVB.
CIVB’s president, Allan Sichel with Anthony Lau, executive director of Hong Kong’s Tourism Board and Stephan Delaux, deputy mayor of Bordeaux and president of Bordeaux International Events
Speaking at Hong Kong’s eighth Wine & Dine Festival, CIVB’s president, Allan Sichel, also outlined that exports to Hong Kong fell 11% by volume to 74,000 hectolitres of Bordeaux wines but increased by 24% to a value of €278 million, reflecting Hong Kong’s maturing consumer market who are looking to spend more per bottle.
Hong Kong is now the second highest destination in terms of value and accounts for 16% of total export value of Bordeaux wine.
“But China still dominates,” said Sichel. “It has returned to the highest level, with 502,000 hectoliters exported to a value of €300 million which affirms its leadership in volume and value.”
There was also a quick discussion on this year’s vintage, which was characterised by weeks of drought and a dry and sunny September followed by a few welcome days of rain.
“This created the ideal conditions for good maturation and could portend a very promising 2016 vintage,” said Sichel.
The harvest started on 5 September with Crémants de Bordeaux, followed by Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon for dry whites with winemakers talking excitedly about the whites showing lively acidity and freshness with good aromatics.
Merlot was picked starting from 24 September, continuing with Cabernet Franc and then 12 October marked the late picking of Cabernet Sauvignon.
The reds also have “magnificent potential”, with intense aromas of black fruit, soft tannins and concentrated flavours.
With bountiful yields across the board, it is anticipated that the harvest of 2016 could reach up to 5.5 million hectolitres.
With 60 winemakers and merchants as well as the Bordeaux Wine School and Bordeaux Metropole Tourist Office, the city of Bordeaux was a prominent exhibitor at this year’s Wine and Dine in a bid to strengthen wine tourism ties between Bordeaux and Hong Kong.