In Asia , wine consumption is predicted to boom by almost 16% between 2003 and 2008 to 767 million litres, worth over US$ 5 billion in 2008, according to a Vinexpo Asia-Pacific press release. The strongest growth is expected in China, where exports of Bordeaux wine have sky rocketed in the last year. The top five suppliers to the region are France, Italy, USA, Chile and Australia.

Asia is also the leading spirits market in the world, accounting for nearly 57% of global consumption. "This booming Asian market logically draws significant interest from wine and spirits companies all over the world," said Mrs. Dominique Hériard-Dubreuil, Vinexpo Asia-Pacific Chairman.

Vinexpo Asia-Pacific will return to Hong Kong again in 2008: from Tuesday May 27 to Thursday May 29.