Exports of wine from Italy reached a record six billion euros ($7.2 billion) in 2017, an increase of 7.0 percent on the previous year thanks largely to Russia, according to Italy’s largest agricultural union.
Sales of everything from the full-bodied to the fruity were exported to established markets, with export sales up eight percent in Britain, six percent in the United States and three percent in Germany.
Exports to China increased by 25 percent, though they were still relatively limited compared to the import of French wines into China.
But Russia proved the most partial to an Italian glass or two, with export sales there leaping 47 percent on a 12-month comparison.