Vinexpo HK 2008 Report - Conclusion

Following the highly successful Vinexpo HK 2008, RW International would like to share our generous thanks and appreciation to both our Exhibition partners and the support of various media outlets and trade partners in this event and report analysis.

We look forward to the ongoing success and growth of this exhibition in Asia and the increasing support from the trade and F&B industry in future.

Should you have further questions or interest concerning the Vinexpo HK 2008, RW International and our wineries, please visit our website RW International or email us on info@redandwhite.net

Many Thanks, RW International.

One Month On - Feedback Received from our Import Partners

As coverage of the Vinexpo HK 08 comes to a rapid end, we have asked our import, media and guest partners to provide us feedback on their experience at the exhibition.

As we receive these, RW International will post it on this blog report for your interest:

Winston - Taiwan - Adelaide Pacific Co. "It was a very nice occasion for us to come over, the stand of RW International was outstanding amongst the exhibitors. We received product information and sampling. All went over very professionally organized. Cheers!"

Should you wish to submit your comments concerning Vinexpo HK, the exhibition, attendees, participating wineries, compliments & criticisms - please do email RW International at info@redandwhite.net.

Many Thanks.

One Month On - RW International Gives Thanks!

RW International one month on from the success of Vinexpo HK 08, would like to take this opportunity to thank one of our key import partners in Hong Kong for both their support and generosity during both the preparation for Vinexpo - in storing many of our principal's wines and delivering them directly to our booth, as well as, kindly assisting us with removal of over 200 bottles of wine from our booth following the completion of the exhibition.

Ping Shan Foods Co. Ltd. and their General Manager, Jack Lee, were integral to RW International and our winery's success at Vinexpo Asia Pacific 2008!

Here seen in a post-exhibition celebration with the RW Team, Jack and Sabrina (far right).

To the entire Ping Shan team - we give our thanks on behalf of both RW International and our principal partners.

Update: International Press Coverage

The organizers of the Vinexpo Asia Pacific have released their final communication concerning the successful Vinexpo HK 2008.

The complete article is available at: http://www.vinexpo.com/en/ and below:

Press release 12 June 2008

VINEXPO ASIA-PACIFIC 2008 success confirmed by final figures

The success of Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2008 in Hong Kong reveals how much the Asian wine and spirits professionals were awaiting the event. The attendance of large numbers of important buyers, importers and distributors, alongside the international press and renowned experts, who spoke at the seminars and led tastings, confirms the leadership of Vinexpo Asia-Pacific in this area.

Meaningful figures

The exhibition held at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, welcomed 8,868 exclusively professional visitors, exactly28.8% more than in 2006. 45% of these came from Hong Kong and Macao, while 55% were from 19 other Asian-Pacific countries: continental China (2,254) led with twice as many visitors as in 2006, followed by Korea (657), Taiwan (438), Japan (209), Singapore (203), Australia (175), Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, India and other countries in the region.

These visitors represented all the different business sectors: importers, wholesalers, retailers, sommeliers and food & beverage managers, duty free and airline purchasers, and the hospitality sector.

375 journalists from Asian press, radio and TV covered the event as well as a number of European and US general and trade press correspondents.

692 exhibitors from 32 countries presented the largest range of wines and spirits ever put on display at a single venue in Asia-Pacific and had around 70,000 bottles available for tasting.

The University hosted 33 seminars and was visited by more than 4,500 professionals. The presentations and tastings were particularly well attended by visitors, who continuously sought information with a real thirst for knowledge.

And don’t forget that number 8! It is a symbol of luck and success in Asia – the Beijing Olympics are due to begin at 8.08 on 8 August 2008 – so the 8,868 visitors, who came to Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2008, clearly represent in Asian minds a very auspicious number…

Market trends

The strong interest generated by the exhibition confirms the energy that exists in the Asian market, which is a consequence of the growing attraction of consumers towards wine and spirits.

“All the exhibitors reported noticing marked progress over the past few years in the knowledge and appreciation of the products. We are convinced that this contributes to the development of the wine and spirits industry in the region by stimulating consumption,” declared Ms. Dominique Hériard Dubreuil, President of Vinexpo Overseas.

According to the VINEXPO / The IWSR study, Asia’s wine market will grow the fastest in the next five years, achieving 8% annual growth compared to a world average of 1%. Retail sales of still wines in Asia in 2006 amounted to US$4.753 billion and should increase by 33.9% between now and 2011. Having downed 1.04 billion 9-litre cases in 2006, Asia-Pacific remains the leading consumer of spirits in the world - 47% of all spirits consumed in the world are drunk in Asia!

Generosity from the exhibitors

1,912 bottles including about one hundred of spirits were collected at the end of the exhibition. Vinexpo had invited exhibitors to donate bottles in aid of the Sichuan earthquake victims in China. These bottles will be put on sale in the coming month by Watson Wine Cellar for the 22,000 members of Watson Wine Club to purchase. The proceeds will then be handed over to the Hong Kong Red Cross.

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Photos of RW Booth Guests

RW International were honoured to be joined by some of the most highly respective members of the International wine industry on our booth for the exhibition.

Here are some highlights:

Robert Joseph - International Acclaimed Wine expert & writer.

Robert Joseph presenting his wines to Ali Hogart - Regional Manager (Asia) - Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation.

Choi Jeong Eun - Marketing Director, Wine Review/ Korean Academy of Wines/ Korea Wine Challenge/ KTX magazine with Candice Greedy - Group Marketing Coordinator, R&W Intl.

Jean-Luc Zuger - Owner, Chateau Malescot with Andrew Kemeny - Director, Kemenys Food & Liquor

Andreas Larsson - Best Sommelier of the World 2007

Photos of the International Symposium

With over 100 guests attending, the RW International Symposium was one of key highlights of the Vinexpo Exhibition week.

Held in the Vinexpo University - overlooking Hong Kong harbour, the room's view set the scene for an extremely insightful and dynamic discussion between the panel members and audience.

Some photo's captured of the Symposium:

The Panel Members, answering Moderator Robert Joseph's question.

Audience members watching the panel members discussion. Each guest was provided a blind tasting featured in Schott Zwiesel, Zwiesel Kristallglass - The New Cru Classic crystal glassware.

Panel member's listening to an audience member's question.

The Blind Tasting, Zwiesel 1872 Gourmet Collection - THE FIRST & THE FIRST Black Tasting Glass.

RW Global Network: Anna Pakula (USA)

RW International had the opportunity to encounter many highly respected influential individuals during the 3 day exhibition. One meeting of note was with Anna Pakula - International Wine consultant, wine photojournalist and creative visual communicator.

Anna attended The International Symposium and visited our booth numerous times to meet with our winemakers, we were also honoured to have Anna join us for a key Wine Dinner in Hong Kong.

Today, Anna, who devotes a substantial portion of her time in the vineyards and cellars of some of the most highly respected wine producers in the world, International Wine Trades Shows, international wine competitions, effectively draws upon her diverse background, energy, talent and international experiences to provide a comprehensive array of services to the wine industry. These services include developing effective marketing strategies, organizing promotions and educational events for private wine portfolios , wine trade, wine region, individual winery, wine enthusiasts, and providing creative high-quality visual communications that seek to capture the essence of wine for cross-cultural branding and networking.

To find out more concerning Anna's consultancy, please visit her website: http://www.annapakulaconsulting.com/.

We would also like to thank Anna for providing RW Intl. with some of the outstanding images below - capturing the excitement of the Vinexpo 2008. We look forward to working with Anna Pakula Consulting in the future!

Photography by Anna Pakula © International Wine Consultant

Photos of Principals on the RW Booth

With over 18 wineries featured on our booth, the 3 days were filled with activity and promotion. Here are some photos taken of each participating principal:

Capannelle - Manuele Verdelli:

Champagne Devaux - Jean-noel Girard:

Francis Ford Coppola Presents 'Rosso & Bianco':

Forrest Estate - Dr. John Forrest:

Geografico - Carlo Salvadori & Marco Toti:

Georges Duboeuf - Franck Duboeuf:

Gianni Gagliardo - Stefano Gagliardo:

Hob Nob:

Marques de Murrieta - Frans Kerstens:

Mount Langi Ghiran - Aaron Drummond:

O.Fournier - Jose Ortega:

Parker Coonawarra Estate - Olimpia Luciano:

Rubicon Estate - Larry Stone:

Salena Estate - Bob Franchitto:

Salin - Christophe Lillet:

Terrabianca - Francesco Russo:

Xanadu - Glenn Goodall:

Yering Station - Caroline Mooney:

Photos of the 3 Day Exhibition

As International Press have noted - the Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2008 was their most successful and busy exhibition and RW International's Booth was no exception - from the opening minute until the final hour, our principals were occupied with tastings, meetings and interviews.

Highlights included: The HK Asia Television Broadcaster reporting for the HK news from our booth - live.

The Bordeaux Tasting Events for Chateau Malescot St Exupery - MARGAUX with Chateau Owner, Jean-Luc Zuger present, as well as, the Chateau Lafon-Rochet - ST. ESTEPHE with Chateau Owner, Mr. Tesseron presenting his wines.

Andreas Larsson - Best Sommelier of the World - participation on our booth, presenting his publication Tasted, meeting interested parties and entertaining the media.

The following are some of the photo highlights:

First Row: (Left to Right) - The RW Intl. sign placed on top of the3m+ Display bar shelf and The extremely busy North kiosk and meeting area

Second Row: (Left to Right) The Sidewalk and Lightbox bar with guests gathering for a tasting and The Chateau Malescot Tasting with Jean Luc Zuger.

Third Row: (Left to Right) Wineries showcasing at the bar, while Rougie serves Fois Gras for all guests. (Right) Guests gathering in the South Meeting area & Kiosks on the booth. Dr. Rajinder Singhs art pieces from the Faces Collection showcases in the background.