UK becomes biggest European importer of Bordeaux wines

The UK became Bordeaux’s biggest European export market as well as the second largest global export market for its white wines last year, importing more than three million bottles in the process.  

In 2016 the UK imported 3.7 million bottles of white Bordeaux, making it the biggest European market for the region’s whites and only just behind the biggest market in the world, the US, which imported four million bottles in 2016.

 However, all Bordeaux exports to the UK dropped by 10% last year, with reds experiencing an 11% decline, and whites a 6% dip.  

Reds comprise by far the biggest proportion of UK imports, at 137,000 hectolitres compared to 28,000 hectolitres of white.   Red Bordeaux comprises 41% of imports to the UK, while white Bordeaux makes up 14% of imports.  

The only white appellations after that of any note, namely Graves & Pessac-Leognan and Sauternes account for only 2% of further Bordeaux imports to the UK combined, a fifth of Bordeaux Supérieur imports or a third of imports from the Médoc, St Emilion or Pomerol and their satellites.  

As a result, the Conseil Interprofessional du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB) is throwing its weight behind its white wines,  rosés and crémant  to promote the diversity of the region.  

According to the CIVB interest in Bordeaux’s white wines is increasing in the UK.