REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT: ASIA
REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT: ASIA JAPAN KEY FACTS SPIRITS LEADS THE WAY IN JAPAN © Philippe Labeguerie Spirits more than wine turns the heads of the average Japanese drinker, making it the biggest market for imported spirits anywhere across the Asia-Pacific. But Japan is also Asia Pacific’s second biggest importer of wine (2.7m h/l, worth €1.4bn in 2015, up 3.6% in volume and 4.2% in value) and the sixth biggest market worldwide for imported wine (Vinexpo/IWSR). The overall spirits market is in 1% decline as older consumers cut down on drinking sake and sochu, the country’s two dominant spirits categories, for health reasons. Whisky saw a record 12% growth in 2015 (Euromonitor) and 21% increase in imports (Japan Ministry of Finance). With minimal domestic wine production it means 70% of wine drunk in Japan is imported (Vinexpo/IWSR). But it remains a small market with only 3.5m h/l drunk compared to 31.8m h/l in the US and 17.3m h/l China (OIV) • Rice paddies Sake and Shochu Brewers Unite at Vinexpo Up till three years ago it was hard to find quality sake in leading restaurants and bars around the world. But thanks to a new export drive by the Japanese government to promote its goods and services around the world, sake and shochu, Japan’s popular distilled spirit drinks, are now making big strides in key markets and cities. This is also thanks to the work of the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association that is exhibiting at Vinexpo for the first time with a pavilion of 28 brewers. The association is particularly excited to be able to showcase You won’t get very far in producing sake without a good supply of the right kind of quality rice. Which is good news for the Japan Rice and Rice Industry Export Promotion Association which is tasked with the best of what Japan can offer to international buyers and sommeliers, as it believes there is close affinity between sake, shochu and wine, said Dominique Grandemenge, export marketing consultant for the association. It has been planning its presence at Vinexpo for two years and hopes to use it to build contacts and partnerships to help spread the distribution of sake and shochu to new markets. “Year after year we are seeing more people coming to Japan looking to collaborate and help with our exports. It is why Vinexpo Making the Case for Japanese Rice the promotion and worldwide distribution of rice products, both for sake and shochu production, and for catering and eating. With growing demand for sake all around the world there are Bordeaux is very important for us,” added Grandemenge. He said sake and shochu can potentially offer sommeliers and chefs working across all types of restaurants with drinks that have so much more flexibility and taste profiles than wine, and are ideal for food pairing and offering something new to their customers. Currently only 3% of its production is exported with 50% going to the US, 25% to Hong Kong and the rest shared around the world • Hall 1, Stand DE165 now small and large scale sake producers setting up in countries outside of Japan, with quality sake now being made as far afield as Mexico and Norway, according to the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association. But whilst you can use locally sourced water, the best rice is still recognised as coming from Japan which is where the Japan Rice and Rice Industry Export Promotion Association is able to put brewers together with any of its 109 members • Hall 1, Stand C336 14 VINEXPO DAILY / DAY 3 EDITION / TUESDAY 20 TH JUNE 2017
© Les Williams HOSPITALITY / RESTAURANTS / BARS WHERE TO GO IN Bordeaux CLUBS / EVENTS / SHOPPING / CULTURE On the Banks of the Gironde On a lovely terrace on the right bank of the Gironde, Julien & Marion Vergnolle, owners of the restaurant La Petite Gironde, offer visitors not only excellent cuisine, but also some excellent regional wines. We asked them to tell us a little more about their place. Marion & Julien Vergnolle La Petite Gironde JV: Our dynamic and convivial team will welcome you for a great moment by the river. Our Chef, Davy Rio and his team cook with only fresh products. The menu offers you meals such as home smoked salmon, duck breast from the south west of France, and oysters from Arcachon or Cap Ferret. The selection of wines is typical of Bordeaux, from Côtes de Bourg to Medoc and Pessac-Léognan, and some of the best “crus classés” like Château Gloria, Haut Marbuzet or Carbonnieux. Do you have a favourite restaurant or wine bar? MV: Our favourite wine bar is not far away from La Petite Gironde. Ma Cave à Vins – 3 avenue Thiers, Bordeaux – offers a wide range of French and foreign wines selected by Nicolas, the very nice owner who will give you the best advice. You can also find a few original whiskies and rums, and Nicolas is also able to advise in this respect. At night, the shop becomes a wine bar from Thursday to Saturday, with tastings, meetings with wine growers, and delicious home-made meals. And it’s the owner of the bookshop right next to the wine bar who cooks! A friendly team for good food and perfect wine match. Can you suggest a “must” for those on a first visit to the city? MV: For a first visit in Bordeaux, you definitely need to cross the river and leave the centre, to discover the most beautiful view of the city. At dusk, from the FOR AN UNUSUAL PLACE TO DISCOVER, YOU’LL NEED TO GET OUT OF THE CITY, AND GO TO BOULIAC right side of the river, you can appreciate the lights on the 19 th century buildings and see the different activities on the river, such as cruises, kayaks and paddle boards. A promenade will lead you from the Pont de Pierre, to the Pont Chaban-Delmas, with a stop at la Petite Gironde on your way! Can you recommend an unusual place for the visitor to discover? JV: For an unusual place to discover, you’ll need to get out of the city, and go to Bouliac. On the heights of Bouliac, where you can find one of the best restaurants around, Le Saint James, the view over Bordeaux and the river La Garonne is stunning. Around there you can also visit some vineyards like Château Carignan, wines from which you’ll find in our restaurant • VINEXPO DAILY / DAY 3 EDITION / TUESDAY 20 TH JUNE 2017 15
