It has become a truism that the wine trade can't organise a knees-up in a winery.
Vital statistics (AWMB)
Total exports: 73 million hectolitres; €83 million
Volume: -11%
Value: +37%
The decrease in volume is due to the Czech Republic joining the EU and sourcing the base wine for sparkling wines manufactured in Bohemia from countries other than Austria, which previously dominated. Thurner is unconcerned by this development, as he says suppliers made hardly any profit out of it. The goal is to increase exports of bottled wine.
Export markets:
Germany (60%); US; Switzerland; Netherlands; Norway; Japan; UK