AUSTRALIA’S RICH DIVERSITY AND CREATIVITY SHOWCASED AT VINEXPO HONG KONG 2018
“One of the most exciting wine-producing countries in the global market today” takes pride of place at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 29-31.
(Hong Kong, May 16, 2018) – Australia’s rich diversity of world-class wine, from the renowned to the less familiar will be unveiled at the most varied showcase of the country’s winemaking regions ever exhibited at Vinexpo Hong Kong 2018, Asia’s premier wine & spirits trade fair.
A record 151 exhibitors will be showcasing more than 225 Australian wine brands from 51 wine regions, a testament to Australia’s ‘Country of Honour’ role at the 20th anniversary event.
Australia’s diverse and energetic wine scene will be evident with over one thousand wines being showcased, from world famous, award-winning wine brands to boutique wineries, many pioneering new styles, trends and grape varieties.
“The landscape of Australian wine has never looked more exciting and although it’s not widely known, Australian winemaking extends to over 65 designated regions, with thousands of wineries growing more than 100 different grape varieties,” said David Lucas, newly-appointed Regional General Manager, China, for Wine Australia.
“The diversity and creativity that Australian winemakers are renowned for, keeps them at the forefront of innovation in experimenting with new grape varieties and different styles of winemaking. As a result, Australia is regarded as a world leader in many aspects of grape growing, winemaking research and technology – this has been vitally important in establishing a reputation as a high-quality wine-producing nation, with deep awareness of consumer desires and trends.”
To shine the light on the diversity and premium quality of Australian wine at Vinexpo Hong Kong 2018, Wine Australia is presenting a packed programme of 26 talks and tastings, from a keynote conference examining Australia’s success in Asia, to Australia’s First Families of Wine unlocking their cellars to share aged family jewels.
Master class sessions will also explore Australia’s unique terroirs and focus on different varieties, including how Pinot Noir thrives in cool climate regions and the celebrated renaissance of Grenache. Food lovers can discover how well Australian Grenache pairs with Asian cuisine in a Grenache and Pork Bun tasting hosted by Yang Lu, China’s first and only Master Sommelier. There will also be a session on emerging alternative varieties in Australia and a ‘coast to coast’ tour of Cabernet Sauvignon winemaking.
On the Australian wine stand there will be six regional bars and on-stand master classes focusing on the fabled Barossa Valley, Coonawarra, Yarra Valley, Margaret River, Orange and McLaren Vale.
A highlight of the program will be a conference that reveals Australia’s efforts to protect the reputation and ensure the legitimacy of exported Australian wine. The session, ‘Ensuring authenticity and integrity of Australian wine’ will delve into recent changes to regulations that have strengthened Wine Australia’s ability to prevent the export of ‘copycat’ wine brands.
Talks additionally include Australia’s 19th century colonial vine stock heritage – one of the most fascinating stories in the world of wine – and the Langton’s Classification system, a ‘form guide’ of Australia’s best performing and most prized wines.
Throughout the show, guests can join intimate tastings with some of the master class presenters and winemakers at the ‘Australian Wine Tasting Bar’, and find out why most flavour from tasting wine is due to the sense of smell rather than taste, at the ‘Aroma Wall’. This unique sensory and interactive experience has been developed by the Australian Wine and Research Institute (AWRI) and features six neutral wine samples spiked with a specific wine aroma.
The Australian wine stand will feature a barista making world famous Australian coffee and will be hosting Happy Hour from 5.30pm each day, where guests can enjoy a glass of wine and meet some of the winemakers and other exhibitors.
In keeping with ‘Country of Honour’ tradition, Australia will also partner exclusively with The Blend, Vinexpo’s official networking party for 1,300 exhibitors from 30 countries, to showcase Australian wines at themed bars in the Grand Foyer of Level 3 on Wednesday, 30 May from 6.30-9pm.
The immersive Australian experience will showcase different wine bars, each with an iconic Aussie theme: ‘Classic Country’, in a classic country setting; ‘Urban’, featuring interesting and alternative varieties; ‘Coastal wines’ made for drinking by the beach; and ‘Red Centre’ showcasing Australia’s great red wines.
China is Australia’s number one and fastest growing export market. For the year to March 2018, exports of Australia wine to China increased by 51 percent to $1.04 billion – a first for exports to a single country.
Wine Australia continues its promotional drive after Vinexpo Hong Kong with the China Roadshow 2018, which visits Shenyang, Jinan, Wuhan, and Shanghai from June 4-11, 2018.
Wine Australia’s full Vinexpo Hong Kong master class programme is available here.
Link to high res images
Link to video: Fongyee Walker – Master of Wine talking about the exciting future for Australian wine in China
About Wine Australia
Wine Australia supports a competitive wine sector by investing in research, development and extension (RD&E), growing domestic and international markets, protecting the reputation of Australian wine and administering the Export and Regional Wine Support Package. Wine Australia is an Australian Commonwealth Government statutory authority, established under the Wine Australia Act 2013, and funded by grape growers and winemakers through levies and user-pays charges and the Australian Government, which provides matching funding for RD&E investments.
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Issued by GHC Asia on behalf of Wine Australia
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