Good news for Bordeaux wine producers: last year more people were drinking their fantastic wines and exports increased, giving the region an optimistic point of view. It seems that more and more Americans are choosing to drink Bordeaux wines, as well. Last year U.S. sales rose 50 percent.

From France24.com:

Exports of Bordeaux wine rose last year, making viticulturists in France optimistic about the prospect of a bounceback in the sector.

Some 565 million litres (5.65 million hectolitres) were sent abroad in 2006 for a total of 3.23 billion euros (4.4 billion dollars), according to the CIVB industry body.

Although the volume represented only a one percent increase, the corresponding value was seven percent higher than for 2005, suggesting overseas buyers were paying more for the wine.

In related news, famed Bordeaux wineries Le Pin and Pétrus have released their en primeur 2006 wine prices. Both will retail for more than €1000 per bottle.

From Decanter:

Le Pin owner Jacques Thienpont said he had released his 2006 wine for €500 per bottle ex-chateau, the same price as the 2005 vintage.

The production of Le Pin in 2006 was 18 barrels, or 5,400 bottles. Thienpont said he had put almost all the 2006 production on the market, keeping back only two barrels or 600 bottles for personal use, for tastings and some for possible sale at a later date. . .

The ex-chateau price of Pétrus could not be confirmed, but sources in Bordeaux suggest it was released to the trade last Wednesday at around €450-500 per bottle.

Both of the ultra-exclusive Pomerol properties are distributed privately and are not sold through the Place de Bordeaux system of wine merchants. They are now trading on what is described by merchants in Bordeaux as a 'parallel market'.

Here, Le Pin is currently said to be selling for about €750 per bottle to local merchants, for resale at about €1,000, and Pétrus for about €1,200 for resale at about €1,500.

That's some expensive wine!