La Mancha offered export hopes

Exports of La Mancha wines have increased by 25% in the first quarter of 2009, offering hope to bodegas in the region who are struggling to grow sales in their domestic market.

Exports represented 80% of sales volumes, at just under 15 million litres. Sales in Spain were static at under 4 million litres.

DO La Mancha's chairman, Gregorio Martín Zarco, welcomed the export increase. But he added: "Unfortunately, the total volume of wine sold, including that from DO La Mancha, is hardly helping to alleviate, not even a little, the difficult situation that many bodegas and co-operatives are facing."

He added that the figures offered a "clear indication" that La Mancha needed to invest in its fine wines and export activity.

"Our wines are conquering consumer palates in scores of countries, and once DO La Mancha wines get a foothold it will be very difficult to dislodge them owing to their excellent value for money," he said.

La Mancha's main export markets are Germany, the UK, the US, Holland, the Czech Republic, Austria and Poland.

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