EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Vinexpo – A Pillar for the Asian Wine & Spirits Markets With the WW market for wines and spirits valued well over US0bn, the market nevertheless has contrasting segments. We asked Xavier de Eizaguirre, Chairman of Vinexpo, what the key trends are as we arrive at Vinexpo Hong Kong. Globally, the traditional European markets remain relatively stable, whereas Asia such as Mainland China, Taiwan, Indonesia or Vietnam keep showing great potential for growth, despite recent ups- and down’s. Our Vinexpo/ IWSR study forecasts an overall 1.4% growth in wine consumption between 2015 and 2019. As we go deeper in these data, we note two clear worldwide trends: sparkling wines (+7.4% growth on the same period) and Rosé wines (+2.2%). Conquering the Asian markets, with new brands and origins, adequate packaging and first and foremost the right value for money ratio will be the quest of the coming years for wine and spirits professionals. What makes Vinexpo Hong Kong a “not to be missed” event for trade professionals compared to other Wine & Spirits events in China? Vinexpo Hong Kong is the mustattend event of the wines and spirits trade, which is eagerly expected by industry professionals. This year again Vinexpo Hong Kong will be showcasing the largest-ever range of wines and spirits presented in Asia. Vinexpo Hong Kong is the only event in the Asia-Pacific region offering each time the possibility to meet the decision makers, vineyard owners and company holders on the exhibitor stands. Vinexpo’s “Academy” event program is a one of its kind platform proposing unique tastings, conferences and master classes rounds that truly enrich participants’ professional experiences and give a broad update on what is going on in the industry on a larger scale. Last but certainly not least, unlike any other city in the Asia-pacific region, Hong Kong is the hub for the wine and spirits trade. Hence, Vinexpo Hong Kong attracts buyers Asia-Pacific and beyond, as key-actors from America, Middle East and Europe will also attend. China is, as we know, a constantly growing and evolving market. What specifically do you see as being the key trends here? According to our Vinexpo/ IWSR market study, in 2015, the Chinese consumed 131.9 million of 9L cases of red wine, 7.24m cases less than in 2014. This drop in consumption, can be explained by several factors, including China’s overall economic slowdown in 2015, government anticorruption laws that have affected the market and last but not least the Shanghai stock exchange collapse in August 2015. However, as I already said, perspectives remain globally positive. Particularly the imported wines segment keeps growing. The expanding middle class is also increasingly turning to wine. Per capita consumption is still low and with a population still growing, (the number of legal-drinking-age-adults should increase by 32m by 2020) the market will continue to expand, albeit with a comparatively slower pace. As the market is quickly evolving, major changes might be to expect in regards to main importing countries and even styles of wines and spirits imported. Today Chinese consumers are still focused on French wines in general and Bordeaux in particular. French wines account for 42% of consumption with 13.9m cases. Australian wines hold the second place with 4m cases. Australia benefits from geographical proximity and close commercial links. Spanish wines have established themselves as the lowest-cost, mass-market wines and are now the fastest-growing import. With 3.9 m cases last year, they are sure to come second behind French wines in consumption in 2015. Chile is another low-cost, high quality supplier that will also continue to see rapid growth. Consumption was 3.8m cases in 2014. Local Chinese wine accounted for over 80% of volumes in 2014 but is now in decline, finding it increasingly hard to compete with high quality low-cost imported wines. At the medium run consumption of imported wines should continue to grow on a stable footing. Growth lies in regular drinking wine aimed at the emerging middle class, wines priced at under CNY100 (16$) are doing the best • VINEXPO HONG KONG IS THE MUST-ATTEND EVENT OF THE WINES AND SPIRITS TRADE, WHICH IS EAGERLY EXPECTED BY INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS Xavier de Eizaguirre Chairman of Vinexpo 10 VINEXPO DAILY / PREVIEW EDITION / TUESDAY 17 TH MAY 2016
SPECIAL FEATURE: WHITE WINES WHITE WINE Major Growth Potential in Asia World consumption of white wine is dominated by the USA, which accounted for 128,000 cases in 2014, followed by Italy and Germany. It is still very much a minority market in Asia, where red wine consumption completely overshadows that of white. Not one Asian country features in the Top 10 consuming nations. 36% White wine accounts for 36% of global wine consumption, but this proportion is much lower in Asia. China In China, white wine only accounted for 8% of total still wine consumption in 2015 though this is forecast to increase by 9.4% between 2015 and 2019. Japan is one of the heavier white wine drinking Asian countries, where white accounts for over a quarter (27.75%) of all still wine consumption. South Korea too, is one of the bigger white wine consuming Asian nations, accounting for around a quarter of all wine consumption. Unique Marine and River Influences Spectacular whites from a Chilean winery “with soul” Following the opening of an Asian commercial office in 2014 and relaunching of their brand strategy, Mongras this year is presenting a highly distinctive Sauvignon Blanc at Vinexpo Hong Kong. Amaral Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Block N° 7 & N° 34 wines come from the Leyda Valley, the best area of Chile to produce cold climate wines. Of very limited production, they provide unique characteristics, creating complex, fresh, mineral wines full of character, by winemaker Jaime De la Cerda. Brothers Hernán and Eduardo Gras, along with partner Cristián Hartwig gave life to the MontGras winery in 1993, combining state of the art technology with the talent and passion of a very special group of people. Amaral vineyards are only 12 km from the Pacific Ocean, in a semiarid climate shaped by the strong, particularly cool marine influence of the Humboldt Current, to which the proximity of the Maipo River basin adds freshness, ventilation and protection against extreme low temperatures. This double influence - marine and river – gives Amaral its uniqueness. Amaral Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Block N° 7 & N° 34 wines come from granitic and calcareous soils respectively, generating complex, fresh, mineral wines full of character.• Level 1, Stand C-7 Nested in Exceptional Lands Discovering a Corsican Terroir that will “sweep you off your feet” Hong Kong In Hong Kong white wines only have a 14.3% share of the market, but sales have been boosted by an increase in tourists from mainland China. Singapore Singaporeans also favour red wine over white, with 251,000 cases of white consumed in 2014 with sales predicted to by 1.2% by 2019. Taiwan In Taiwan, white wine represents 180,000 9-litre cases, and is anticipated to grow 13.5% by 2019. “Corsica has received three major gifts from Nature: its horses, its proud and courageous men and its wines, most generous, that Princes hold in the highest esteem!” Ignazio Danti, 1580, Vatican appointed mathematician and astronomer… The four hectare Guissani Paoli Estate is a family-run vineyard located in the Appellation Patrimonio Contrôlée (AOC), in northern Corsica, France, in a private natural circus tucked away in an un-touched land, amongst mountains, the Mediterranean Sea and luminescence; an estate that combines maquis, oaks and olives groves, where organic culture takes its true meaning. since 1912, their vintages are rare, organic, limited editions combining the French wine “savoir-faire” with Italian grape varieties, resulting in a unique, rare and a prized product for an exclusive clientele. Presented at Vinexpo Hong Kong, The Guissani Paoli Estate’s white vintage, the “Grand Blanc” is an exclusive and rare 100% vermentino grappe variety with limited editions of 1,650 bottles. Guissani Paoli also produces a late harvest wine that has the particularity of being dry (specialty only found in very few vineyards in the world) • (…) AN ESTATE THAT COMBINES MAQUIS, OAKS AND OLIVES GROVES, WHERE ORGANIC CULTURE TAKES ITS TRUE MEANING. (All figures Vinexpo/ IWSR research). Renowned for producing some of the island’s best and longest-lived wines Level 3, Stand R-57 vinexpodaily.com VINEXPO DAILY / PREVIEW EDITION / TUESDAY 17 TH MAY 2016 11
