Chile has overtaken Spain in exports to the UK – and is now snapping at the heels of South Africa.

According to figures released by AC Nielson, sales of Chilean wine in the UK have exceeded those of Spain for the first time.

Chile now has its highest-ever share of the UK market at 6.9%, taking 6th place from Spain. ‘South Africa [is] now firmly in its sights’, a Wines of Chile statement said.

Wines of Chile director Michael Cox said, ‘This is testimony to the hard work being done by the wineries, and the growing awareness of Chile’s naturally diverse styles of quality wines.’

Sales of Chilean wine in the £5-£10 sector increased by 26% over the last 12 months. Chile now sells 14% more wine priced above the £5 mark than South Africa.

The UK is Chile’s number one export market, with 9.86m cases worth US$189m. Chile’s total exports are just over US$1bn.

Written by Adam Lechmere

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Adam Lechmere
Adam Lechmere
Decanter Magazine, Wine Editor & Writer

Adam Lechmere is consultant editor of Club Oenologique among other things.

Formerly launch editor of Decanter.com, which he edited until 2011, he has been writing about wine for 20 years, contributing to Decanter, World of Fine Wine, Meininger’s, the Guardian and many others. Before joining the wine world he worked for the BBC, and as a music and film gossip journalist.