Record wine sales expected in Sweden

According to the forecast at the end of last year 2009 will be a record year for wine sales in Sweden. If December sales were as expected (as hoped for, is probably not the right expression in this country) sales for the full year would reach 174 million litres of wine, well above the last record from 2008 of 161 million litres. Sweden has since many years a retail monopoly on wine and spirits, through Systembolaget, in order to limit sales and to improve public health. Perhaps it is a sign of the monopoly’s efficiency that Sweden is doing so well compared to other countries in reducing consumption? More info: www.thelocal.se (Yes, that's Britt on the picture.)