World's biggest wine brands are capturing new markets

While major producers of wine continue to be Italy, France, Spain, the United States and Argentina, some new players are entering the market and capturing the markets extending from China to South Africa.

Let's take a look at some of the biggest wine brands in the world.

Source: Drinks International

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Casillero del Diablo

Company: Concha y Toro

Global shipments: 20 million cases

Country of origin: Chile and Argentina

Overall rank: 1

Data from the company shows that global volumes of the brand rose by more than 8 per cent in 2012, reaching a figure of about 3.4 million cases. For Concha y Toro, the most promising area is Asia, where it posted growth of 21 per cent. China is followed by Japan, 20 per cent, South Korea, 26 per cent, Hong Kong, 14 per cent, and Singapore 30 per cent.

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Torres

Company: Miguel Torres

Global shipments: 4-5 million cases

Country of origin: Spain

Overall rank: 2

Torres, which exports wines to more than 150 nations, manages around 2,272 hectares of vineyards, out of which 1,800 are in Spain, 440 in Chile and 32 in California. The company has more than 1,300 employees on its roll. It generates 72 per cent of its total business through exports. In 2011, the company's turnover increased about 5 per cent to 215 million euros, and Torres reinvested 95 per cent of profits back into business.

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Penfolds

Company: Treasury Wine Estates

Global shipments: 2.6 million cases

Country of origin: Australia

Overall rank: 3

Penfolds, which is targeting Asian markets and focusing on luxury sector, has witnessed a 11 per cent increase in net sales volume per case. The company was started in 1844 by English doctor Christopher Rawson Penfold, who exported vine cuttings from France to Adelaide in Australia.

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Duboeuf

Company: Duboeuf family

Global shipments: 2.5 million cases

Country of origin: France

Overall rank: 4

The company was launched by Georges Duboeuf, who started off with delivering wines by bicycle to nearby restaurants. Now it is known as ‘the king of Beaujolais’, according to Drinks International.

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Brancott Estate

Company: Pernod Ricard

Global shipments: 1.2 million cases

Country of origin: New Zealand

Overall rank: 5

Pernod Ricard reported a 2 per cent increase in sales worldwide, with the United States posting 18 per cent growth, Canada 35 per cent, Sweden 8 per cent and China 22 per cent.

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Guigal

Company: Guigal family

Global shipments: 500,000 cases

Country of origin: France

Overall rank: 6

Guigal was founded by Etienne Guigal in 1946 and is now managed by his son, Marcel. The company is famous for attention to detail and hands-off approach to business.

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Michel Chapoutier

Company: Chapoutier

Global shipments: 420,000 cases

Country of origin: France

Overall rank: 7

Chapoutier traces its history to 1879 when Polydor Chapoutier started the business in France. The company is famous for Braille writing on its labels.

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Cloudy Bay

Company: LVMH

Global shipments: 150,000 cases

Country of origin: New Zealand

Overall rank: 8

Cloudy Bay, which has been part of the luxury group LVMH since 2003, exports its wines to more than 30 countries, including Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States and Japan.

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Ridge

Company: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co

Global shipments: 75,000 cases

Country of origin: United States

Overall rank: 9

The company, probably the best American wine brand, focuses on two areas for most of its production: Monte Bello Ridge in Santa Clara County and Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma County.

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Domaine de la RomaneeConti

Company: De Villaine and Roch families

Global shipments: 5,250 cases

Country of origin: France

Overall rank: 10

Wines produced by DRC have been called not only the best in France but also in the world. The company produces white and red wines and its bottles are some of the most expensive in the world.