Vinexpo Daily - Review

EDITORIAL
Richard
Barnes
Editor-in-chief
Vinexpo Hong Kong 2016 –
Leaving a Great Aftertaste
A Glass of Wine
Olé! Spain Under
The Spotlight
The announcement by Vinexpo CEO Guillaume
Deglise at the 2016 Vinexpo Hong Kong closing
press conference that Spain is to be the “country
of honour” at Vinexpo Bordeaux next year has
met with a very positive reaction from the media
present.
It’s little wonder. Indeed, the “partnering” of a
country with the event has not only a major effect
on recognition for that nation’s wine and spirits
products, but also consequently (no doubt), an
immediate effect on trade.
In global terms, many of Spain’s riches remain
to be discovered. Only a couple of its regions
such as Rioja and Ribera del Duero are broadly
known for their production, and Jerez is of course
known for its Sherry. However much remains to
be discovered. Not only that, in terms of global
exports, Spain’s total wine export takings this
year (Q1) are slightly down on the same period
last year, due perhaps to the very aggressive
marketing from major producers in other areas.
This said, Spain’s exports to China were up
sharply (37% in volume Y/Y in Q1), meaning
that at least in this market, its product is gaining
greatly in recognition.
But as Mr Deglise points out in his interview in
this edition, there are countless areas in Spain
that are worth being “put under the spotlight”.
It will be an immense pleasure discovering all
the different colours, flavours and aromas of this
nation so rich in culture, tradition and history.
“It’s been a great edition”. Thus, Vinexpo CEO Guillaume Deglise
summarised Vinexpo Hong Kong 2016 at the event’s closing press
conference. “One could feel the energy on the stands and all around
the exhibition centre,” he added.
Vinexpo HK this year saw the creation
of ‘one-to-wine meetings’, which were
started in Bordeaux last year, with
1,500 meetings for exhibitors and
visitors.
Another tool was the hosted buyer
programme, in which Vinexpo invited,
for the first time, about 50 buyers from
three countries - Mainland China,
Korea and Australia.
“It’s been a great experience for them,
and also for us, because we got to
know them much more closely,” says
Deglise. “Our team followed them
for the three days and organised
meetings, they took part in our
seminars and tastings.”
SEMINARS AND TASTINGS
– 70 EVENTS AT VINEXPO HK 2016
“It’s the biggest programme ever
organised by Vinexpo in Hong Kong”,
says the Vinexpo CEO. Events included
the China Market Conference, which
was an opportunity for participants to
better understand the challenges and
opportunities of the China market.
COUNTRY OF HONOUR
Italy was the nation of honour at
Vinexpo Hong Kong. More than 60
Italian wineries came to the show for
the first time, making Italy the second
largest exhibitor. Meanwhile, Spain
has been announced as country of
honour at Vinexpo Bordeaux 2017.
“It’s great news for the Spanish
industry, but also for Bordeaux. We
are neighbours,” says Guillaume
Deglise. “Spain is just a few hundred
kilometres away from Bordeaux, and
we will be delighted to receive as
many Spanish producers as possible,
and not only producers, because
when we set up a country of honour
we also want that country to express
all the talents that are linked with
the industry… I’m talking about the
Spanish gastronomy. We are already
working on a very rich programme of
activities with the Spaniards.”
THE BLEND – FIRST TIME IN HONG
KONG
Vinexpo’s networking event, “The
Blend”, launched in Bordeaux last
year, appeared for the first time in
Hong Kong on the Wednesday
evening of the show in the Grand
Foyer - with more than 1,500 people
present for the event.
UPCOMING – VINEXPO TOKYO
The next show takes place on
November 15 & 16 in Tokyo. “It’s
a very important exhibition, because
Japan is a very different market from
any other market in Asia, and it needs
a dedicated exhibition”, says Deglise
“This will be the second edition of the
show – a smaller scale show at which
buyers meet directly with exhibitors.”
FLASH FORWARD TO VINEXPO
BORDEAUX 2017
“We are very excited about the next
edition, which will take place from
18-21 June 2017,” says Deglise. “It’s
probably the only event that talks to
the entire world.”
Vinexpo will be bolstering the hosted
buyer programme - inviting 200
new buyers to Bordeaux, and will
continue its “one-to-wine” meetings.
The show will also have a special
commercial offer towards the smaller
players, making it easier for them to
participate •
vinexpodaily.com VINEXPO DAILY / REVIEW EDITION / MONDAY 6 TH JUNE 2016 3