Vinexpo Daily 2019 - Preview Edition
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
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