Registration open for biggest Australia Day Tasting in Ireland

Registration is open for the annual Australia Day Tasting in Dublin, which will feature over 300 wines from 54 wineries across Australia.

The Australia Day Tasting on 29 January in Dublin is part of a three-city roadshow, following London (23 January) and Edinburgh (25 January). The event gives wine trade and media the opportunity to meet the people behind the wines, hear their stories and try a diverse range of Australian wine. Visitors can get up-to-date with the category, taste new releases and discover alternative varieties like Assyrtiko and Nebbiolo.

Taking place for the first time at The Mansion House, this new bigger venue means there will be even more wines and producers than at last year’s event. Some of the wineries may be familiar names like De Bortoli, Katnook Estate and Yering Station, others will be new discoveries such as Howard Park, Route du Van and Voyager Estate that are seeking distribution. 10 producers at the tasting are not yet in the Irish market.

In addition to the 24 tables of exhibitors, new to this year’s event is a Focus Table on Iconic Australia. From fresh Hunter Valley Semillon to rich Rutherglen fortifieds, this area will give visitors a taste of Australia’s most enduring and iconic wine styles.

Winemakers and winery owners coming over from Australia for the event include Andrew Hardy (Petaluma), Andrew Watson (Woodlands Wines), Chris Pfeiffer (Pfeiffer Wines), Peter Thompson (Thompson Estate), Toby Barlow (St Hallett) and Trevor Dickinson (Dickinson Estate).

The number of wines and producers at the event reflects the opportunities for Australian wine in Ireland. Ireland is a strong market for Australian wine: exports are up 7 per cent in volume and 3 per cent in value (Moving Annual Total to September 2017), with promising growth in wines over $10 per litre FOB (+ 62 per cent).

Gary O'Donovan, Managing Director and Buyer of O'Donovan's, said:

‘The Australia Day Tasting is a great opportunity to find new trends, new varieties, new blends and most importantly get a chance to discuss these with the people exhibiting. The world of wine is constantly evolving and the Australian wine industry plays its part strongly in this evolution. 

You will get a chance to meet producers striving for quality, innovation and consistency in a most competitive wine world, and get up-to-date with distributors’ portfolios and wineries that are looking for representation in the Irish wine market.

This event is not just aimed at wine buyers but anyone in the drinks industry seeking to get an overview of the Australian wine category.’

Laura Jewell MW, Wine Australia Head of Market EMEA, said:

‘We’re very pleased to be showcasing over 300 wines at this year’s Australia Day Tasting in Dublin. The event will give guests a snapshot of our 65 unique wine regions, and it will highlight the diversity of Australian wine through a mix of varieties, styles and winemaking methods.’

About the Australia Day Tasting in Dublin

Date: Monday 29 January

Time: 1pm – 6pm

Location: The Round Room, The Mansion House, 2 Dawson Street, Dublin  

Register here to attend or email Jean Smullen on jean@jeansmullen.com

Download the tasting booklet for full list of wines, wineries and producers seeking distribution.

Wine Australia’s General Manager Marketing Stuart Barclay and Head of Market EMEA Laura Jewell MW will be attending the event. To request a meeting or interview with Stuart or Laura, please contact Emma Baumann on emma.baumann@wineaustralia.com

About Australian wine in Ireland

Australia’s top three exported grape varieties to Ireland are Shiraz, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The most popular Australian wine regions are Riverina, McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley, which represent the largest exports to Ireland. Over the last year, regions with very strong export growth to Ireland are Coonawarra (up 244 per cent), Langhorne Creek (up 68 per cent) and Adelaide Hills (up 63 per cent).

The on-trade is a promising category, with more Irish consumers eating out and enjoying wine with their meals. In total, for both on and off-trade in Ireland, Australia remains in second place with 17.7 per cent share behind Chile.