TRADE TALK PRESS CORNER
TRADE TALK PRESS CORNER Doug Frost Master Sommelier and Master of Wine Alain Marty President of the Wine & Business Club and presenter of the programme “In Vino BFM” Frost on The Vines Vinexpo – seen by one of the world’s top sommeliers and consultants Among his various “hats”, US-based author, Master Sommelier and Master of Wine, Doug Frost wears that of being the global wine and spirits consultant for United Airlines. We asked Doug what his key reasons were for attending Vinexpo… With a remarkable abundance of wineries and importers available, I have the opportunity to see key suppliers in a setting conducive to my business and literary goals. As well, there are so many chances to taste critical wines and interview prominent vintners and industry luminaries that I would be crazy to pass up this opportunity. What kind of products are you expecting to find/ or looking forward to discover? I have certain regions for which I am responsible to write with an informed stance for LE PAN wine magazine; I will be seeking out a number of important wineries to taste their newest wines and talk to them about their plans. My goal for my readers is to give them the background they need to understand why the wines of a particular region are as they are, and the context that will enable them to see what may be next for the wines of that region. THERE ARE SO MANY CHANCES TO TASTE CRITICAL WINES AND INTERVIEW PROMINENT VINTNERS AND INDUSTRY LUMINARIES Which producer region/ country/ category should one keep an eye on, because of the interesting products it produces? My regions of interest are Portugal, Spain, Oregon and Washington State in the USA. What is your “secret” to a successful Vinexpo visit? Don’t try to do too much, but enjoy thoroughly your chance to visit with your heroes and favourites in the world of wine. Doug Frost Master Sommelier and Master of Wine Doug Frost is a Kansas City author who is one of only four people in the world to have achieved the remarkable distinctions of Master Sommelier and Master of Wine. He has written three books: Uncorking Wine (1996), On Wine (2001), and the Far From Ordinary Spanish Wine Buying Guide in its third edition (2011); is the global wine and spirits consultant for United Airlines; and writes about wine and spirits for many publications. Frost is a Contributing Editor for LE PAN wine magazine. He is also the director of the Jefferson Cup Invitational Wine Competition, the Mid-American Wine Competition, the Washington Cup Spirits Competition, the host of the Emmy Award winning PBS-TV show FermentNation, and is a founding partner of Beverage Alcohol Resource, an educational and consulting company whose other partners include Dale DeGroff, Steve Olson, Paul Pacult and David Wondrich. “IN VINO BFM” BROADCASTING FROM VINEXPO! For over 11 years, Alain Marty, President of the Wine & Business Club has been editor and presenter of the programme “In Vino BFM”. Broadcast on BFM Business, “In Vino BFM” is the only radio show in France 100% dedicated to the world of wines and spirits. Alongside Philippe Faure-Brac and David Cobbold, Alain Marty every week enabled us to discover the news & highlights about wine, the vineyard economy, auctions, dishes and seasonal wines, foreign vineyards and offers, encounters with guests, oenophile managers and personalities of the wine trade. On the occasion of the 18 th edition of Vinexpo, the whole team of “In Vino BFM” is present in Bordeaux for a live radio show from the Champagne Lanson stand (A 149), this Sunday, June 14 th at 4 pm. On the programme: the world of sparkling wines, the wine world economy and wine tourism with the participation of Philippe Baijot (CEO of Champagne Lanson), Hervé Dantan (New Chief Cellarman of Lanson), Guillaume Deglise (CEO of Vinexpo), Sylvie Cazes, Osama Aissaoui (The cellars of Meknes), James Palgé (Château Ksara) and Gérard Lefebvre (Publisher of Vinexpo Daily). 8 VINEXPO DAILY / DAY 1 / SUNDAY 14 TH JUNE 2015
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Breaking the Billion Dollar Barrier Concha y Toro celebrates a “very good year” at Vinexpo Alfonso Larraín Santa María Chairman of the board of Viña Concha y Toro Alfonso Larraín Santa María is Chairman of the board of Viña Concha y Toro since 1998, a position from which he has striven to strengthen the company’s image of prestige in the world’s main markets. He joined the company as director in 1969 and has been chief executive (1973-1989) and vice-chairman of the board (1989-1998). Over this time, he has pursued a strong policy of opening to external markets. In the 1980s, he served for two periods in the presidency of the Association of Chilean Wine Exporters and Bottlers. He is also currently a director of Viñedos Emiliana. 2014 was an important year for Concha y Toro as the group saw positive results from its commercial strategy aimed at growing the premium category and maintaining its leadership as a global competitor. With annual sales of US ,018 million, the company broke through the billion-dollar mark for the first time. We asked group chairman Alfonso Larraín Santa María what the company’s success comes down to… In particular, the company’s flagship brand, Casillero del Diablo, sealed an historic 2014 with an annual growth of 17.4%. The results are largely attributable to a strengthening of Concha y Toro’s overseas subsidiaries, collectively accounting for 66% of company sales. This strategy has led to a more informed understanding of individual markets, resulting in enhanced positioning and increased distribution for Concha y Toro’s comprehensive portfolio of multiple brands. A specific milestone in 2014 was the opening of Concha y Toro’s Centre for Research and Innovation in the Maule Valley dedicated to fostering a more sustainable future for the wine industry through research and education. The centre will focus on the analysis of all aspects of healthy vine production, the development of new technology to increase product quality with minimal environmental impact and the efficient integration of technology into winery practices. Of specific note is the fact that the facility is for the use of the industry not just Concha y Toro. What’s new at Vinexpo 2015 from Concha y Toro? Concha y Toro, as every year, will feature a large and comfortable stand, where visitors can experience our wines. In our new location in the centre of Les Terrasses, we will be together with some renowned brands of wines and spirits in an exclusive space. We have been working on a very modern and innovative stand, that enables us to show our new products and news. Special tastings held by our Chilean winemakers Marcelo Papa and Enrique Tirado and also our related winery Fetzer Vineyards from California will be present with winemaker Bob Blue. Visuals showing our wonderful vineyards throughout Chile, our history and, especially, new projects that will shape our future can also be appreciated there. At the stand, international chef Ruth Van Waerebeek, will present new recipes and pairings for the wines of our portfolio. New launches include Casillero del Diablo Legend, the Super Premium Cabernet Sauvignon of the brand. We will also present the new Center for Research and Innovation (CRI) in the Maule valley, Chile’s seventh region. This project was conceived to do applied research and develop new technologies in the areas of viticulture and enology, seeking to contribute to the development and competitiveness of Chile’s wine industry. What are your plans for future growth in production and sales? We believe the future looks bright and Concha y Toro has an advantageous position thanks to a diverse portfolio of fine wines that are all well positioned within their individual categories, supported by a solid distribution network worldwide. Concha y Toro is the most vertically integrated company in the industry. From winemaking and production, to the supply chain and distribution, we have complete control of the entire process, ensuring quality in every stage. How important is Vinexpo in your global marketing plan? Vinexpo is an internationally renowned exhibition of wines and spirits, the most important in the world and for Concha y Toro has become a platform of encounter between the most famous wineries in the world and professional buyers from the five continents. Once again our winery will be sharing there its tradition and history, its portfolio of wines and, above all, releasing its new projects. It is very important to our marketing plan but also is a unique platform to set up meetings, to show our innovations and share our spirit as a company from the New World that is truly global, to show our passion for excellence and character and our wines that stand out in quality. Please tell us the story behind NEW LAUNCHES INCLUDE CASILLERO DEL DIABLO LEGEND, THE SUPER PREMIUM CABERNET SAUVIGNON OF THE BRAND Almaviva. Is it true the partnership was spawned at Vinexpo? Bordeaux has been always a unique showcase for Almaviva: to present new vintages and it is also a natural stage to show the development and growth of this iconic wine, benchmark of excellence and quality in the international market. Almaviva is the result of the vision of two companies – Concha y Toro and Baron Philippe de Rothschild – to create an exceptional wine. The first vintage (1996) achieved immediately international success upon its launch in 1998. But this venture was only possible with the continued support and collaboration of Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, my friend and our partner, who always accompanied us in all our projects and dreams. Unfortunately she passed away last year, but her memory continues living in this outstanding wine. Being here at Vinexpo this year, is special and I am sure we will miss her energy and joy of living. vinexpodaily.com VINEXPO DAILY / DAY 1 / SUNDAY 14 TH JUNE 2015 9
