Trends are reversing in Bordeaux again towards the production of pink wines, sold as ‘rose’ and ‘clairet’ from cabernet sauvignon and merlot. The area designated for these wines has increased from 1,043 ha in 1990 to 1719 ha in 1995. Both are made with the ‘saignee’ method of bleeding off free-run red juice after a short skin maceration. Made the same way, the clairets must contain three times the colour density of the roses and are more likely the result of warmer years. Generally two-thirds of production is rose, but in years like 1993 the situation was reversed. World Wine consumption Up Wine consumption is up by over 2% in non-wine producing countries such as Denmark and Great Britain. 30 years ago the British drank only 2 litres per capita per year, while today they drink over 12 litres. Sales of wine in the US rose by over 2% last year, with 40% being red, as the message gets through that by drinking the stuff in moderation, you are likely to live longer. How the French Hurt Themselves Reaction to the French nuclear testing programme saw wine sales to Denmark drop by 20% and to The Netherlands, Sweden and Finland by 13%. The boycott cost the French wine and spirits industry 700 million francs ($A170 million). Diary Date: Vinexpo, Bordeaux. 16-20 June, 1997.
