South African wine sales in the UK have overtaken those of France for the first time, according to the latest figures from market analysts AC Nielsen.

South African wine sales grew 20% by volume between January 2009 and January 2010 to 12 270 000 nine-litre cases, compared to a decline in French wine sales of 12%, to 12 266 000 nine-litre cases; growth that also saw South Africa becoming the fourth-largest wine selling country in the UK.

"This is a momentous occasion for the South African wine industry, which is relatively young in terms of the global export market," Wines of South Africa UK market manager Jo Mason said in a statement last week.
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