Decanter World Wine AwardsCava exports at record high in 2012
- Friday 22 March 2013
Castillo Perelada: 'Cava is a must-have listing'
According to the Cava Consejo Regulador, producers sold over 161m bottles to foreign markets in 2012 - a 6% increase over 2011.
In contrast, 81m bottles were sold in Spain in 2012, a 6% fall from the 87m figure recorded in 2011.
The high Spanish level of unemployment and economic crisis are cited as the main culprits.
However, the Consejo reported an overall Cava sales rise of 1.5% - 243m bottles in total were sold in 2012, as opposed to 239m in 2011.
Patrice Lesclaux, export manager for Castillo Perelada in Emporda said that Cava was increasingly seen as a 'must have' listing for distributors worldwide.
'Today, almost all relevant wine importers around the world want to have at least one Cava in their portfolio, as the consumer appreciates Cava for its optimal value for money', he said.
Germany is currently Cava's most important foreign market: in 2012 over 39m bottles were sold to German importers.
Have your say!
Colin Harkness
March 25 20:12
Delighted to hear this news, Spain in recession needs a boost. I wonder also if there have been improved sales regarding other Spanish Sparkling wines, in the light of several high profile bodega defections from DO Cava. Perhaps Sparkling wines made in DO Rías Baixas which have recently been included in the DO's profile, for instance, will be afforded the praise they deserve?
Colin Harkness
March 25 09:51
Delighted to read this encouraging statistic. We live in Spain where our usual aperitif is Cava, and any good financial news concerning Spain and Spanish products is most welcome as the recession here continues to bite! However in the light of recent high profile defections from DO Cava and positive press about alternative Spanish Sparkling Wine, I would hope that there will be further international and national sales of Spanish fizz, not just Cava. For example readers who haven't yet tasted it can, I'm sure, imagine the wonderful aromas and flavours of sparkling wine made from Albariño, Loureira, Godello et al in Galicia. Speaking from experience these are super Spanish sparklers!