Almost half of the quality wines produced in Tuscany, above all from Chianti to Brunello di Montalcino, is exported to the United States, according to the Coldiretti farmers' union.
Citing data from national statistics bureau Istat, Coldiretti said exports of quality Italian wine in general were rocketing by 20% with a 24% increase towards Europe union markets and a 16% jump towards the USA in the first two months of the year.
While the USA imports 45% of Tuscany's prestigious wines, Germany accounts for 40% of quality white wine exported from the Venerto region, including the bubbly prosecco, Coldiretti added.
The USA also buys 36% of exports of Piedmont's top Barolo, Barbera Barbaresco and Grignolino wines, followed by Gemany at 14%.
Canada is the biggest importer of Veneto's quality reds, including Amarone and Valpolicella, accounting for 21% if exports, with Gemany a close second at 29%,
Some 41% of exports of top white wines from the northeaster Trentino and Friuli regions, which include Traminer and Collio, end up in the USA , while 32% are sold to Germany.
The positive results for the first two months of the year, Coldiretti observed, demonstrated that there continued to be new and important opportunities for growth for the wine sector even after a record year in 2006.
Turnover last year hit nine billion euros, with exports accounting for three billion euros.
