SOME of Australia’s leading winemakers, including SA-based Yalumba, Taylors family wines and Jim Barry, are heading overseas to help promote the local produce.
Australia’s First Families of Wine is heading to Hong Kong to participate in Wine Australia’s feature program at Vinexpo 2018, then staying on in the region to be part of Wine Australia’s China Roadshow 2018.
Vinexpo is the primary industry event for wine and spirit specialists in the Asia-Pacific region and AFFW will have the opportunity to feature new products while networking with importers, distributors and sommeliers worldwide and telling their vinous tales.
The recent backing of the Export and Regional support package for the Australian wine industry Australian Government’s $50 million Export and Regional Wine Support Package, along with Australia’s continued drive for global profiling, has in part resulted in Australia being named the‘Country Of Honour’ at this year’s Vinexpo exhibition.
This move sees a fivefold increase in floor space for Australian wine compared to VinexpoHong Kong 2016, making room for Australia’s largest ever showcase of 140 exhibitors representing more than 35 wine regions.
The 12 families of AFFW will be featured together, under their own banner, as part of the larger Australian contingent.
Jim Barry Wines’ Peter Barry said he viewed China as the highest potential export market for the company.
Wakefield Taylors Family Wine’s Justin Taylor agreed.
“The Chinese Wine market is the fastest growing and most dynamic consumer driven wine market currently in the world,” he said.
“As the Chinese wine consumer learns more about wine and just how wonderfully wine pairs with Chinese food, the future is as bright as it is exciting for everyone involved.”
Yalumba’s Robert Hill Smith said China had become a valuable fine wine market earlier than expected.
“It is a dynamic growing and diverse market for both high quality and affordable wines and this augers well for the future,” he said.
“The taste preferences are as diverse as the price sale and it offers opportunities for winemakers and shippers across all aspirations.”
Australian wine exports to China have surged from 63 per cent in 2017 to $848 million – more than the total sales to the United States and UnitedKingdom combined.
