After a 1% decline in shipments to 27 million cases in 2012, Italian wine is expected to be back in positive growth territory in the U.S. market by year-end, with volume estimated to rise 3%-5%. An even better showing is expected on the value side, which is up around 6% so far this year, boosted by price increases and the relative strength of Italy's prestige wines.

Iconic Italian wines, including leading Super-Tuscans, Barolos, Chiantis and others, have recently been reclaiming some volume they'd lost during the economic downturn. "Last year the high end was still soft, but after several years we're seeing renewed interest in those categories, and upscale wines are beginning to move again," says Winebow chairman Leonardo LoCascio.

Read more

Source: http://www.shankennewsdaily.com