Burgundy Wines Gain Share In U.S. Import Segment

Imports have been outpacing domestic wines in the U.S. this year, and French offerings in turn are outpacing total imports. Among France’s key regions, Burgundy bottlings performed well over the first half of this year, with exports to the U.S. up 8% to €153 million ($165m) on a 4% volume increase to 9.3 million bottles (775,000 cases). The growth was largely propelled by white wines—accounting for 63% of Burgundy’s U.S. export volume—which grew 3% by volume and 11% by value in the first half. Reds were up 5% in both volume and value terms, while Crémant de Bourgogne sparkling wine saw 7% volume and 10% value growth.

Chablis, which accounts for 27% of Burgundy’s white exports to the U.S., saw shipment value grow 9% in the first half. “The Chablis category is still growing aggressively,” Demeine Estates president Philana Bouvier recently told SND. “La Chablisienne (imported by Demeine) accounts for 22% of production across the region, so it offers consistent quality at a consistent price all year-round, and it’s up 20% versus last year. It’s part of our strategic vision to dominate the growing Chablis space.”

Wilson Daniels president Rocco Lombardo, speaking at the 48th Annual Impact Marketing Seminar this fall, noted that Burgundy exports to the U.S. are up 56% by value in the past seven years, with Crémant (+32%), Regionales Macon (+44%), Grand Cru Cote d’Or (+44%), and Regionales Bourgogne (+50%) bottlings all making strong gains.

Overall, Burgundy wines accounted for 12% of the total volume and 17% of total value of French AOC wines exported to the U.S. in the first half, with Burgundy whites representing a 31% share of French AOC white wine volume. The U.S. is the largest export market for Burgundy in both volume and value terms, representing about 20% of total exports.–Daniel Marsteller

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