Prädikat Wine Estates succeed with wines from ERSTE LAGEN vineyards

SALES STRUCTURES: During the past year, sales volume of the Prädikat Wine Estates increased by 15%, and now equals approximately 35 million bottles. At the same time, the average price per bottle for a GROSSE GEWÄCHSE wine has risen by app. 30% to €26.00 per bottle since 2005. Equally remarkable and positive is the fact that the proportion of ERSTE LAGE wines has increased by app. 12% in 2010. For the first time, the share of sales in this category has reached a double-digit figure.

DOMESTIC MARKET: Wine sales continue to be stable just like in the past couple of years. Thus, competent and professional advice plays an increasingly important role in the specialized wine trade which is proven by increased sales made to specialized trade (+5%). Wine enthusiasts seem to associate wine quality with advice. The wine market in Germany showed a decrease both in value (-5.7%) and volume (-5%). In comparison, the signs in terms of quality and sales philosophy of the Prädikat Wine Estates are constantly looking good.

FOREIGN MARKETS: There was a considerable growth in terms of exports of German top-quality wines in 2010. In the meantime, nearly one fourth of all VDP wines is enjoyed abroad. Yet, the distribution is quite varied on the individual export markets. Whereas large markets, such as the USA (stagnant), England (decreasing since 2007), and Japan - unrelated to the current natural catastrophes - have become problematic, smaller, new markets have emerged. In addition to Scandinavia, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Italy, and Switzerland, a flourishing market for higher priced wines from ERSTE LAGEN has developed in the Baltic States. Hence, a trend that began in 2009 continues.

PROSPECT 2011: Due to a small vintage in terms of volume, which amounted between 30% – 50% below the long-term average of the last couple of years, (41,5hl/ha on average), the question arises whether the winemakers will be able to meet the demand of their customers. In years like that the Prädikat wine estates benefit from the fact that they often keep their wines in the cellar until they have reached the optimal maturity for drinking, so that they can balance smaller yields in difficult years like this.  “We assume that we will also succeed in this year to meet the demand approximately and to commence to the 2011 vintage,” says Steffen Christmann, with a glance towards the economic year of 2011. (red.yoopress)