Australia's largest-ever wine showcase as 'country of honour' at Vinexpo Hong Kong 2018

(Hong Kong, 28 March, 2018) – Australia’s largest-ever showcase of 140 wine brands representing over 35 regions is headlining Vinexpo Hong Kong 2018, Asia’s premier wine & spirits trade fair. The record turnout responds to Australia being given pride of place as ‘Country of Honour’ on the 20th anniversary of Vinexpo’s Hong Kong edition, from 29-31 May at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.  
 
With a five-fold increase in floor space for Australian wine compared to Vinexpo Hong Kong 2016, this year’s record presence is also being complemented by a series of 26 master classes conducted by some of the top experts in Australian wine, examining how each of the different grape varieties has come to thrive in Australia, and the qualities of the unique terroir which have made Australian wines among the foremost in the world. The master classes also include an opportunity to sample rare wines from the private cellars of Australia’s First Families of Wine.
 
Australia’s special ‘Country of Honour’ status ‘reflects Asian consumers’ growing appetite for Australian wines’, said Vinexpo CEO Guillaume Deglise, adding: ‘We are proud to celebrate the buoyancy of the Australian winemaking industry’.
 
Australia’s huge contingent of exhibiting winemakers includes many first-time exhibitors and responds to a surge in exports to the region – and most notably China, the world’s fastest-growing wine market.
 
Benefiting from a recent free trade agreement cutting wine tariffs, Australian wine exports to China surged 63 per cent in 2017 to AU$848 million – more than the total sales to the United States and United Kingdom combined. The boom has catapulted Australia up the rankings to second largest importer of wine into China after France, with a growth outlook of 25 per cent by 2020.
 
‘China is our number one and fastest growing export market’, said David Lucas, newly-appointed Regional General Manager China at Wine Australia, the sector’s marketing and promotional board.
 
The prestige of being ‘County of Honour’ at Vinexpo Hong Kong 2018 is ‘a brilliant opportunity to shine the light on the diversity and premium quality of Australian wine and strengthen our position in the market’.
 
To celebrate its prestigious status, Wine Australia is presenting a packed programme of talks and exclusive tastings showcasing the talent of Australian winemakers during the 3-day event. A keynote conference on ‘Australian Wine Exports’ analyses the key to Australia’s success in Asia, and the outlook for the next few years, with wine tastings and talks at the Vinexpo Academy exploring specific varieties and contemporary winemaking.
 
Themed ‘UNLOCKED, Australia’s First Families of Wine’s’, twelve iconic wine families will be unlocking their cellars to share aged family jewels – the first time that UNLOCKED has been presented outside of Australia.
 
‘Guests will get up close and personal with some of Australia’s most recognised names to experience their most respected and revered wines and hear the stories of success behind these iconic wines that have created the benchmark for Australian quality’, said Mr Lucas.
 
Regional focus will include the fabled Barossa Valley, Coonawarra, Yarra Valley and McLaren Vale. On Vinexpo’s Grape Variety Day, insights will explore Australian Grenache and Pinot Noir, emerging varieties and a ‘coast to coast’ tour of Cabernet Sauvignon winemaking.
 
Australia’s unique terroirs will also come under the spotlight, with talks additionally including a guide to the Langton’s Classification system, insights into working with old and young vines, and a ‘form guide’ of Australia’s best performing and most prized wines.
 
The Blend, Vinexpo’s official party, is also featuring 100% Australian wines.
 
‘As the 5th largest wine-producing country in the world Australia is one of the most exciting wine-producing countries in the global market today’, added Mr Lucas.
 
‘Australia is recognised as a world leader in many aspects of grape growing, winemaking research and technology, which has been vitally important in establishing Australia as a quality wine-producing nation.
 
‘The diversity of its terroirs and its regulation-free appellation areas has enabled Australian winemakers to stay at the forefront of innovation in experimenting with new grape varieties, and to achieve a move upmarket that has been praised by critics, sommeliers and consumers alike’.
 
Wine Australia continues its promotional drive following Vinexpo Hong Kong, with the China Roadshow 2018 to Shenyang, Wuhan, Jinan and Shanghai from 4-11 June, 2018.

More information and assets

• Link to high resolution images.

• The full master class programme is available here.
• Link to video: Fongyee Walker – Master of Wine talking about the exciting future for Australian wine in China