REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT:
REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT: CENTRAL EUROPE AUSTRIA First Austrian Wine Producers “Certified Sustainable” Attainable since January 2015, the “Sustainable Austria” online certification tool has already seen some 500 estates registering for the label. © AWMB THE NETHERLANDS WHITE WINE GROWS IN POPULARITY IN THE NETHERLANDS The sustainability project of the Austrian Wine Growers Association was developed with the participation of technical experts, in several steps over the course of several years. “Growers themselves can enter their figures and values for grape production, wine production, structure of vineyards, social factors and economics into the system and receive an evaluation of the current state of their estate’s sustainability, along with suggestions for improving their sustainable production,” commented Johannes Schmuckenschlager, President of the Austrian Wine Growers Association (AWMB). This official certification is attainable since January 2015 through two certification authorities, agroVet and Lacon. And now we have the first fourteen wine producers that have completed the involved and complex process for certification of sustainable viticulture, and are henceforth permitted to use the logo “Sustainable Austria” along with their certification number. These estates are spread throughout the various wine producing regions of Austria, which serves to underscore the wide acceptance greeting the sustainability project in our domestic wine production. SUSTAINABLE POSITIONING AS A NECESSITY “Many wine estates sent us the signal at the start of the project that they were extremely interested in a certification of sustainability,” explains Willi Klinger, director of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board. “Our winegrowers have become increasingly aware of the importance of practicing sustainable viticulture. Estates that have successfully completed this indepth certification process receive with the AWMB’s new logo “Sustainable Weingipfel Niederösterreich - Organic Vineyard, Klausberg - in the Kremstal Austria” an important additional asset for the contemporary marketing of their wines.” This year, Austria’s group presentation at Vinexpo presents 17 of the nation’s best wineries with their new vintages. DAILY TASTING CORNER You can expect a selection of the highest-rated white wines like Grüner Veltliner and Riesling as well as red aces Zweigelt and St. Laurent. Of course you will also get the chance to taste Austria’s widely loved sweet wines. Hall 1, Stand AB-309 According to the latest Vinexpo/IWSR survey, a trend in the Netherlands towards growing consumption of white wine vs. red will continue through 2018. In 2013, white wine consumption overtook that of red in the Netherlands for the first time. Within five years, white wine consumption is forecast to reach 17.76 million 9-litre cases, compared with 16.78 million for red wine. Wine consumption overall continues to rise, albeit slowly. Between 2009 and 2013, wine consumption in the Netherlands rose by a modest 1.6% to 40 million 9- litre cases, equivalent to 480 million bottles. This limited growth is explained by a decline in sales between 2012 and 2013, due to an increase in excise duty and its effect on the price of bottled wine. Consumption should begin to increase more steadily over the next five years. The Vinexpo/IWSR survey forecasts growth of 2.4% between now and 2018. GERMANY You Call it Pinot Noir – We Call it Spätburgunder Renowned sommelière Romana Echensperger at Vinexpo to explain German wines The German Wine Institute (DWI) will be on hand at Vinexpo Bordeaux to present a representative selection of wines from Germany’s winegrowing regions. In addition to the tasting counter at their shared stand (Hall 1, Stand No. BD 290), the DWI will also be offering several master classes daily: “Good – Better – Silvaner,” “You Call it Pinot Noir – We Call it Spätburgunder”, “Germany´s Got Talent: Generation Riesling” and “the Magic of Sweetness” are just four of many exciting topics that the renowned sommelière will be exploring with trade visitors. To ensure a fond ‘adieu,’ the DWI is holding a “Happy Hour” at the end of each conference day with snacks and wines in the lounge of the shared stand. “This year as in the past, the DWI will be working to kindle and expand international contacts with retailers, restaurants and the media. The focus of course is somewhat less on France, but rather on industry visitors from around the world,” says DWI Marketing Director Steffen Schindler. Since 1989, the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) has encouraged the attendance of German winemakers at Vinexpo Bordeaux through organizational and financial support. Hall 1, Stand BD-290 Ahrweiler © DWI 16 VINEXPO DAILY / PREVIEW EDITION / TUESDAY 9 TH JUNE 2015
© Les Williams HOSPITALITY / RESTAURANTS / BARS WHERE TO GO IN Bordeaux CLUBS / EVENTS / SHOPPING / CULTURE Bordeaux – Take it From The Top! The former Prime Minister, Alain Juppé, is a highly prominent figure, not only in the region, but on a national and European level. Born in the Landes, in the environs of Bordeaux, and Mayor of Bordeaux, who better to advise visitors what to do here? We firstly asked Mr Juppé what makes Bordeaux so special for him… Alain Juppé Mayor of Bordeaux To say it’s the wine would be evident. I would spontaneously say a particular light that I not have seen anywhere else. But Bordeaux has so many assets that everyone can find something to their liking. These include the beauty and richness of its heritage, which earned it recognition by UNESCO. There’s the Garonne, attractive both by its powerful waters and its tranquil banks, the latter of which entice strolls, relaxing family outings but also holidays. There’s a quality of life that many might envy, encouraging more and more new residents to join us. Finally, the Bordeaux inhabitants themselves, as a city would be nothing without people who love it and who are its best ambassadors. Can you suggest to our readers a “must” to see or do in the event of a first visit to Bordeaux? I would advise them to arrive by the right bank, to pass the Pont de Pierre and discover the majesty of the facade of the docks. Then, to follow the latter up to the Jacques Chaban-Delmas Bridge, stopping from time to time to contemplate the Garonne and the other bank that gives Bordeaux a more ‘natural’, greener aspect. This discovery tour is naturally best done on foot or on a bike to be enjoyed to its fullest. BORDEAUX HAS SO MANY ASSETS THAT EVERYONE CAN FIND SOMETHING TO THEIR LIKING Can you recommend an unusual venue that visitors might like to discover? Our Tourist Office offers a wide range of unusual sites or places to visit. For my part, I have a soft spot for the Art Nouveau style rockery décor of the Restaurant Le Chapon Fin and the Castan Bar where you can, if seated on the terrace, also admire its superb marquise from the same era. Another unusual place: the submarine base in the Bassins à Flot district. We have turned this World War II testimonial into a cultural venue, which hosts some remarkable exhibitions. VINEXPO DAILY / PREVIEW EDITION / TUESDAY 9 TH JUNE 2015 17
