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Vinexpo Daily 2019 - Preview Edition

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TRADE TALK<br />

Drinks for<br />

every moment<br />

PRESS CORNER<br />

Nordic-based Solera Beverage Group is at<br />

<strong>Vinexpo</strong> Bordeaux on the look-out for new<br />

strategic partners<br />

Thomas Matthews<br />

Executive editor, Wine Spectator<br />

Stefan<br />

Norberg<br />

Vice Chairman,<br />

Solera Beverage Group<br />

Solera Beverage Group consists of many importers in Sweden, Finland and<br />

Norway. We asked Stefan Norberg - Vice Chairman - Solera Beverage Group<br />

Holding AS to tell us more about the group and its activities.<br />

Solera Beverage Group is the leading<br />

importer of beverages in the Nordics,<br />

specialising in imports of wine, spirits,<br />

beer and other beverages. Over the past<br />

10 years Solera has had a growth rate that<br />

has outperformed any other Beverage<br />

Group in the business, and we continue to<br />

grow at the same strong pace. Solera thus<br />

has a deep understanding of the Nordic<br />

market and work intensely on developing<br />

new and innovative ways to drive profitable<br />

growth for producers/brand owners<br />

and customers. Solera has 150 highly<br />

competent and passionate employees.<br />

Our turnover is €178m. My role is, apart<br />

from the Vice Chairman of the Board of<br />

Directors, the overall responsibility to<br />

develop the portfolio of Solera Beverage<br />

Group.<br />

What do you see as being the most<br />

important sales trends in your territory?<br />

In general, consumers are becoming<br />

more and more educated when it comes<br />

to wine. Sales trends are different<br />

depending on the geographic markets.<br />

White wine grew as well as sparkling<br />

wine last year due to the nice weather we<br />

had. Since we are serving the Monopolies<br />

and their tenders, we are constantly in<br />

dialogue with them in order to present the<br />

best possible products. Organic wine is<br />

growing especially in Sweden due to the<br />

ORGANIC<br />

WINE IS GROWING<br />

ESPECIALLY IN<br />

SWEDEN DUE TO<br />

THE TENDERS AND<br />

THE WISH FROM<br />

THE MONOPOLY<br />

TO GROW THIS<br />

SEGMENT.<br />

tenders and the wish from the monopoly<br />

to grow this segment. Allowing products<br />

with higher alcohol content in the retail<br />

(grocery) market in Finland, has been a<br />

game changer as well.<br />

What are you primarily looking for at<br />

<strong>Vinexpo</strong> Bordeaux?<br />

To meet existing partners and potential<br />

new strategic partners for Solera.<br />

What are your secrets for getting the best<br />

out of a busy <strong>Vinexpo</strong>?<br />

The most important thing is advance<br />

planning, and keeping your schedule<br />

VINEXPO <strong>2019</strong>:<br />

THE SPECTATOR’S<br />

VIEWPOINT<br />

Wine Spectator was founded in California in 1976 and is<br />

today the world’s leading authority on wine, reaching about<br />

3 million readers worldwide. We asked executive editor<br />

Thomas Matthews to tell us more about what he is primarily<br />

looking for at <strong>Vinexpo</strong> this year.<br />

As I am Wine Spectator’s lead<br />

taster for the wines of Spain,<br />

I make a point to taste widely<br />

among the Spanish producers at<br />

<strong>Vinexpo</strong>. I am also on the lookout<br />

for interesting new wines<br />

from around the world. And I<br />

look forward to catching up with<br />

many old friends at the fair.<br />

Which wines or spirits do<br />

you feel are gaining most in<br />

popularity in the US?<br />

The two strongest categories<br />

in the US at the moment are<br />

dry roses and sparkling wines.<br />

Interestingly, neither is tethered<br />

to a specific place, style or prices<br />

point (though Provence rose and<br />

Prosecco sparklers continue<br />

to lead their categories). As a<br />

result, adventurous consumers<br />

can turn to distinctive wines from<br />

many regions and in many styles.<br />

Spanish Cava, Lambrusco and<br />

French crémants are benefiting<br />

from the sparkling boom, while<br />

Rioja in Spain, Puglia in Italy<br />

and Oregon in the US offer<br />

interesting versions on rose.<br />

From your tasting experience<br />

over the past 12 months<br />

what have been the stand out<br />

highlights in terms of countries/<br />

regions and styles?<br />

For Wine Spectator, I focus on<br />

the wines of Spain. I continue to<br />

be impressed by their diversity,<br />

character and increasing quality.<br />

I am currently impressed by<br />

the fresh whites of Galicia, the<br />

elegant reds of Priorat and the<br />

extraordinary range of offerings<br />

from Rioja. As Executive editor, I<br />

am privileged to travel and taste<br />

quite widely. I’m excited about<br />

the 2015 and 2016 vintages from<br />

Bordeaux. I think Bolgheri and<br />

Sicily are two of Italy’s most<br />

interesting regions. Australia is<br />

successfully re-inventing itself.<br />

Chile is exploring a growing<br />

range of terroirs. Oregon, in the<br />

US, has staked a serious claim<br />

to Pinot Noir. The wine world<br />

continues to grow in every way<br />

vinexpodaily.com<br />

VINEXPO DAILY / PREVIEW / THURSDAY 9 TH MAY <strong>2019</strong> 11

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