Spanish wine sales fall in 2006

2006 saw a sharp fall in wine sales in Spain , and the new points driving system is being blamed.

The Spanish are now drinking less wine in restaurants, but more and better wines at home according to the latest data.

Figures for the year to September however show an overall fall in quality wine sales in the country of 11%, but these increases to an 18% fall in restaurants.

There was also a small overall fall of 1.4% in fortified wines such as Sherry and Pacharán.

Numbers compared to January-September 2005 show that Cava sales were up however 12.2%, Cider saw 10% growth, and Beer sales were up also by 4.6%.

It comes as new regulations on the production and sale of wine are to be introduced at both a European and Spanish level.