The pandemic has also reached the table. Between 2019 and 2020, exports of European sparkling wines outside the single market decreased by 24 million liters. It is the Coronavirus effect and the lockdown that has resulted from it almost everywhere. Certainly the bars, which have seen their business shut down, have cut their demand cleanly. But Italy and Piedmont have been able to respond to the challenge posed by the health and then economic crisis with their leading products. Prosecco and Asti spumante are among the most popular brands despite everything.
Between December and January 2020, exports of sparkling wines by twelve-star producers to third countries reached a number of bottles for a total of 494 million liters. It is the tricolor bubbles that reign supreme. 47% of the total sold is “made in Italy”. 233 million liters between prosecco-based toasts (205 million liters) and Asti (27.9 million liters). It must be said that one of the synonyms of excellence of Piedmont, alone, cannot keep up with the rivals of France (Champagne) and Spain (Cava), much more in demand around the world. But Asti is the driving force more than the other brands and contributes to the stability of the market, allowing Italy to maintain a leading position in the sector.
This is even more true due to the fact that in a climate of general decline, the Monferrato product stands out for going against the trend. Between 2019 and 2020 it gained market share, going from 25.7 million liters sold to 27.9 million liters. In the year of the pandemic and the bubble crisis, Asti sells over two million liters more. Wanting to venture a comparison, in the same period, Champagne saw a reduction in extra-EU orders for 17 million liters. Even if the volumes are far from being compared, for once Asti beats Champagne. For Piedmont and for Made in Italy, this is undoubtedly good news, given that Prosecco also experienced a decline in sales in 2020. Faced with these figures, the European Union, with its international exports, are grateful.