Year-end 2010 export figures from the French Customs agency reveal record-setting growth in the level of exports of rose and red wines from the Provence region to the United States. Customs data released by the CIVP/Provence Wine Council shows that exports of rose and red wines from Provence to the U.S. jumped 132% by value and 85% by volume in 2010 compared to 2009. These percentages represent greater increases than ever previously seen, and rank Provence as the fastest-growing French region in wine exportation to the U.S.
“These numbers provide further confirmation of the rising appeal of Provence wines to the U.S. consumer,” said Julie Peterson of the CIVP/Provence Wine Council’s U.S. trade office. “In particular, Americans are discovering the versatility of Provence’s traditional dry rose, which is made from red grapes and offers the character of a red wine with the crispness of a white.”
The 2010 export numbers also show that the supply chain is growing stronger, Peterson said. “We know that there’s more Provence rose available in more U.S. cities today than ever before, with over 100 Provence domaines active in the U.S. market.”
Peterson noted that while the French Customs data groups rose and red wines together, dry roses make up the vast majority of Provence exports, based on production numbers. In 2010, for example, 87% of all AOC wines produced in Provence were roses, while only 9% were reds.
The Provence Wine Council, is an organization representing more than 600 Provence wine producers and 72 trade companies. Its mission is to promote and advance the wines of the Provence region of France. The organization’s members together produce 95 percent of Provence’s Appellation d’Origine Controlee (AOC) wines. Its U.S. web address is www.winesofprovence.com.
Posted By Kristin 6/8/11
