Asian wine professionals invigorated by Australian wine experience

Nine leading wine professionals from Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Malaysia recently took part in an engaging seven-day Australian wine experience hosted by Wine Australia.

From 14 to 21 May, the guests of the 2017 Asian Trade and Media Visit experienced first-hand the unique regional diversity and innovation of Australian wine through a series of personalised tours, tastings and dining occasions with local winemakers. 

This year’s guests included wine journalists, wine buyers and sommeliers who visited Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley, Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale to meet the grape and wine community and experience Australia’s regional fine wine and food culture. The guests were introduced to wines from New South Wales, Western Australia and Tasmania through themed tastings held in Sydney and Melbourne.

Guests were also taken on a guided tour of The Australian Wine Research Institute to see how research and development supports innovation in the Australian wine sector.

Guests said:

Gerald Lu – Head Sommelier, Praelum Wine Bistro and Vice President, Sommelier Association of Singapore (Singapore)

‘It has never been a doubt in my mind that Australian wine should enjoy a desirable reputation as a world class region, with quality and diversity of wines to boot. This trip has not only strengthened that belief but also gave me access to a whole range of emerging wine styles accompanied with a new wave of open-minded and empathetic winemakers.

‘Australia's new journey has only just begun and am I glad to have gotten tickets to the preview!’

Wataru Iwata – Sommelier, Cave de K and Japan’s Best Sommelier 2017 (Japan)

‘This Australian trip has given me far more fruits than I had ever imagined. I was really surprised by the endless-new discoveries of the wine styles found in Australia and truly moved by the free yet sophisticated expressions of Australian winemakers’ philosophies and techniques. It was also very stimulating to travel with some of Asia’s top sommeliers and journalists; I am motivated to do what I can to convey the message of what is exciting about Australian wine to the people I can reach.’

Paul Wang – Wine Journalist and Educator (Taiwan)

‘This trip enriched my knowledge about the art and science of Australian wine. The efforts on linking wine flavour research with regionality, and application of geological studies at the Australian Wine Research Institute impressed me a lot as a taster and educator. 

‘The diversity and quality of Australian wine also relies on creativity, determination and passion of producers, who surprised us with lots of insights and welcomed us with much hospitality. I am ready to share what I learned and what I witnessed in this promising wine land.’

Hiro Tejima, Wine Australia Head of Market, Asia Pacific said, ‘We are very happy and proud of the fact that we have welcomed to Australia some of the top Asian wine professionals there are across the region. Various regional winemakers and associations have commented on their calibre, knowledge and their professional and courteous attitudes.

‘It is always a pleasure to see our visitors making so many discoveries during trips such as this. We now have the opportunity to continue deepening our relationships and work with them – with the renewed perspectives – to impact the mature Greater Asian markets; a very exciting time is ahead of us.’

Asian Trade and Media Visit guests 2017:

• Bonny Na – Wine Journalist (South Korea)
• Eddie Chui – Editorial Director, Cru Magazine (Hong Kong)
• Gerald Lu – Head Sommelier, Praelum Wine Bistro and Vice President, Sommelier Association of Singapore (Singapore)
• Jinwon Yang – Wine Journalist (South Korea)
• Paul Wang – Wine Journalist and Educator (Taiwan)
• Tadayuki Yanagi – Wine Journalist (Japan)
• Wallace Lo – Sommelier, The Park Lane and Best Sommelier of Grater China 2013 (Hong Kong)
• Wataru Iwata – Sommelier, Cave de K and Japan’s Best Sommelier 2017 (Japan)
• Yin-How Wong – Managing Director, Vintry Cellars (Malaysia).

In 2016, Australian wine exports to the six countries represented by the Asia Trade and Media Visit guests accounted for over $300 million. All markets have been growing strongly over the past few years, with South Korea and Malaysia growing by more than 50 per cent in value since 2014. These are high value export markets for Australia, with Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia having the highest average value per litre of any of Australia’s top 20 destination markets.