In the first nine months of 2024, Chilean wine giant Concha y Toro reported a significant sales increase, bolstered by strong performances in key markets and a growing share of premium and high-end wines.
Mexico has been a wine-producing nation since the 1520s, when the Spanish brought grape vines with them. Although the country is best known for its tequila, the wine market is growing, both for domestic and imported wines, albeit off a small base. The population is mostly young and urban and, as elsewhere, there is a growing middle class. This group, estimated at 21m people, includes a highly educated younger generation that’s keen to explore food and wine. According to Wine Intelligence, wine consumption has increased by 40% in the past decade, and could hit 2 L per head by 2020. James Lawrence speaks to market insiders.
It’s got a wine-growing history that dates back to the Roman world. It’s got more than 220 authorised grape varieties over 55,000 hectares of vineyards, and it’s one of the most exciting wine-growing countries in Europe.