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A Vintage Year for Wine Exports

California vintners take advantage of a weak dollar to expand overseas market

By Jim O'Neill,  Newser User

Posted Feb 29, 2008 12:31 PM CST

(Newser) – The dollar’s decline is a boon for California winemakers, who’ve turned the greenback’s challenges into opportunities, expanding exports of everything from top vintages to bulk table wines, reports the Los Angeles Times. California wine exports, 95% of the wine the US sends overseas, jumped 9% to nearly $1 billion in 2007. "American wines are a bargain,” said one analyst.

While upscale American wines typically have a tough time denting the European market, the sagging dollar—which traded at a record low of $1.52 per euro today—is prompting more sampling by Europeans. “Once that happens, they discover they like the quality of the wine,” said one US wine company exec.

Residences  surround a vineyard  in Napa, Calif. California wines, helped by the weak dollar, are floodinginto Europe.
Residences surround a vineyard in Napa, Calif. California wines, helped by the weak dollar, are floodinginto Europe.   (Associated Press)
A residence sits on a hilltop overlooking a vineyard in Napa, Calif. The fall of the dollar against other currencies is making California wines great buys in Europe.
A residence sits on a hilltop overlooking a vineyard in Napa, Calif. The fall of the dollar against other currencies is making California wines great buys in Europe.   (Associated Press)
Mary Rocca, owner of Rocca Family Vineyards, works the counter of her tasting room in Napa, Calif.
Mary Rocca, owner of Rocca Family Vineyards, works the counter of her tasting room in Napa, Calif.   (Associated Press)
A grape picker dumps a load of Cabernet Franc grapes into a bin on one of the last days of this year's wine harvest at the La Jota winery vineyard atop Howell Mountain in Angwin, Calif. California growers are cashing in on the weak US dollar to sell more wine...
A grape picker dumps a load of Cabernet Franc grapes into a bin on one of the last days of this year's wine harvest at the La Jota winery vineyard atop Howell Mountain in Angwin, Calif. California growers...   (Associated Press)
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