European and Chinese wine sectors meet again at the China Alcoholic Drinks Expo (CIADE) in Luzhou (Sichuan, China) (18-19th March)

Brussels, 25 March 2016 – After last year’s successful experience, it is with no hesitation that the European and Chinese wine industries decided to reiterate their collaboration and organize another European wine tasting at the CIADE. This year’s event brought about an eclectic range of top quality European wines from Italy, Spain and Portugal. This event constitutes another positive step towards the implementation of the cooperation programme and marks the 2-year anniversary of the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding

The wine tasting was conducted by Mr Baudouin Havaux, President of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, one of the most prestigious international wine contests worldwide, and took place at Pernod Ricard China’s booth, right in the heart of the exhibition centre in CIADE. The tasting was organised to present a wide range of high-quality wines from Italy (Cantine Tollo, MASI Agricola, Cantine Riunite del Ciro e del Melissa), Portugal (Caves Arcos do Rei, Monte da Raveisquera) and Spain (Osborne) and was showcased to high-level representatives of the Chinese wine sector as well as to specialized local and international journalists. This activity participates to improving the wine knowledge among the Chinese consumers, and promoting the appreciation of wines and its culture building on the values of moderate and responsible consumption, which are some of the key areas of the cooperation.

Also, as part of the EU wine industry participation at CIADE, Dr Ignacio Sánchez Recarte (Secretary General of CEEV) was invited as a keynote speaker for the Opening Ceremony, one of the main events of the fair. High-level professionals from the industry and governmental representatives such as the Secretary General of CADA and the Mayor of Luzhou attended the event. Dr Sánchez Recarte shared his vision on “Green Ecology, Sharing the Future” and how the ecological question is primordial to the future of the wine sector.

“Wine is not just a vector of our culture, it also represents a synergy between man and nature. We need to work together to preserve this synergy and the long-term sustainability of the European and Chinese wine sectors” affirms Dr Ignacio Sánchez Recarte.

This event is one example of the events that have been successfully organized hand-in-hand between CEEV and CADA during the past 2 years and which include a wide range of activities (internships in Europe for Chinese professionals, technical seminars in Europe and in China, bilateral meetings etc). These initiatives are part of a comprehensive programme of technical and institutional cooperation agreed in a Memorandum of Understanding signed on 18th March 2013 between the two organizations in the framework of a fruitful B2B dialogue.

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Pictures:

Dr Ignacio SANCHEZ RECARTE during his speech at the occasion of the Opening Ceremony

Curious crowd gathers around the Pernod Ricard China booth as the tasting of European wines is about to begin.

Overview of some of the wines that were tasted.

Representatives of CEEV and CADA at the bilateral meeting.

About the EU-China Wine Cooperation project:

The European Consortium supporting the implementation of the EU-China Wine Cooperation Program is composed by 12 leading European wine companies and professional organizations: CEEV (coordinator) ACIBEV, AEVP, FEVS, FEDERVINI, UNIONE ITALIANA VINI, Codorniu, Felix Solis Avantis SA, Gonzalez Byass, Moët Hennessy, Pernod Ricard Winemakers, Bodegas Miguel Torres and FEDERDOC (as a chef de file for Confagricoltura, Fedagri-Confcooperative, Legacoop Agroalimentare, AGCIAGRITAL, Assoenologi).

The companies and wines involved in the wine tasting are:

• Osborne (Spain)
  • Montecillo Gran Reserva Seleccion Especial 1994
  • Montecillo Gran Reserva 2008
  • Osborne Sherry
• Cavos Arcos do Rei (Portugal)
  • Touriga Nacional (vintage 2010)
• Monte da Ravasqueira (Portugal)
  • Monte da Ravasqueira Reserva Red 2013
  • Vinha das Romas Red 2013
  • Premium Red 2012
• Cantine Tollo (Italy)
  • Cagiolo Montepulciano D’Abruzzo
  • Tullum Rosso Riversa 2008
• MASI Agricola (Italy)
  • Costasera Amarone Classico della Valpolicella DOCG 2011
• Cantine Riunite del Ciro del Melissa (Italy)
  • FRAGALA’ IGT CALABRIA ROSSO 2012
  • LEVANTE IGT CALABRIA ROSSO 2013
  • ABRACCIO ROSATO

These activities are part of a comprehensive programme of technical and institutional activities agreed in a Memorandum of Understanding signed in March 2014 between CEEV and CADA in the framework of a fruitful B2B dialogue between both parties. The programme, to be implemented over a 2-year period, is aimed at fuelling the possibilities for business cooperation between the European and Chinese wine sectors, improving the mutual knowledge of the potential offered by both markets and boosting international cooperation. By virtue of this programme:

• The EU industry will facilitate technical assistance to professionals from Chinese wine companies in areas such as of winegrowing, winemaking and quality controls, marketing approaches, wine tastings, and GIs protection systems, provided through activities such as hosting study visits in Europe, seminars, and other training and internship activities;
• The Chinese industry will assist the EU industry to organize EU wine tastings in China, and to improve the wine knowledge among the Chinese consumers, and promote the appreciation of wines and its culture building on the values of moderate and responsible consumption;
• Both parties will set up permanent information mechanism and communication exchanges, monitor the implementation of the cooperation, and collaborate at international level on advocacy activities aimed at improving market access conditions in third countries