One of the key highlights to this years Vinexpo in Hong Kong, was the Vinexpo University - strategically providing an extensive programme of over 30 tastinigs, conferences, seminars and presenations staged in conjunction with the exhibition and developed by individual exhibitors and organizations.
RW International took this opportunity to engage over a 100 guests in an open symposium on the topic of Marketing Wine. In an interactive blind tasting (featuring Schott Zwiesel - Zwiesel 1872 Gourmet Collection - The First and The First-Black crystal glassware) and panel member discussion the "International Symposium: Understanding Wine Trends: More Than Branding vs Terroir." held on Wednesday 28th May 2008 - featured 8 panel members and lead by respected wine-expert and writer Robert Joseph - the symposium addressed issues of:
- Polarization in the wine industry between: Mass-production and terrior based marketing.
- Consumer, Trade, Hospitality and Media influence on wine marketing (packaging, placement, price, promotion)
- One Brand for all Markets Strategy and the question of whether this is outdated or appropriate for Asia.
- The Emerging Asian Consumer Groups and the opportunity these provide globally exported wines.
- Innovations in Marketing of Wines and their relevance to Asia.
For the audience of trade, regional media and hospitality - the discussion between panel members and moderator was received extremely positively, with insightful personal experiences and observations of the industry. From screwcap packaging and its affect on the Asian F&B industry to the history of Australia terroir the conversation was lively and relevant.
The Panel Members:
THE MODERATOR – ROBERT JOSEPH
Robert Joseph is a well known British-born wine expert and writer. In 1984,
with Charles Metcalfe, he launched Wine International Magazine and the
London International Wine Challenge, which grew to become the world's
biggest wine competition. Since then Robert has also launched International
Wine Challenges in Asia (China, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong, and
India) and Russia. He was the wine correspondent for the Sunday Telegraph
for sixteen years, until 2001, and is the author of more than 28 books, twice
winning the Glenfiddich award for wine writing.
THE PANEL MEMBERS:
ANDREAS LARSSON – BEST SOMMELIER OF THE WORLD 2007
Andreas has a special affinity for the classical French vineyards, the wine evolution in Spain, great Rieslings, Sherry, and Champagne. Andreas started his career as a chef in 1990 after
earning a degree in hotel/restaurant management. After a period spent working as a chef and playing jazz, he decided to focus more on his interest for wine and the world of beverages. Andreas obtained his sommelier diploma at Restaurangakademien in Stockholm 1999 and works today in PM&Vänner restaurant in Växjö Sweden.
BEN EDWARDS – PRESIDENT, SOMMELIERS AUSTRALIA
Ben Edwards comes from a hospitality background, having worked in some of
Melbourne’s award winning restaurants as head sommelier, including Stella,
Circa, and The Prince. In 1999 Ben won the prestigious Champagne Devaux
Young Sommelier Award, and in 2003 he was awarded the honour of being
Dux of The Len Evans Tutorial. The Presidency of The Australian Sommeliers
Association in Victoria has been his responsibility since 2002. Ben has also
been appointed as co-contributor to James Halliday’s Wine Companion,
regarded as the leading reference guide for wine in Australia. He has also served as president of
the Australian Sommeliers Association (Victorian Chapter) for the past six years and recently
was appointed joint-president of the newly formed National Body, now called Sommeliers
Australia
TOMMY LAM – PRESIDENT, ACADEMY OF WINE, SINGAPORE
Tommy has been an influential player in the wine industry in both Hong Kong
and Singapore for over twenty years. He received his Wine MBA at Bordeaux
Ecole de Management, France and MBA at University of Dubuque, USA. He is
a member of the Academy of Food and Wine Service UK, the Society of Wine
Educator USA, Commandarie de Bordeaux, the International Wine and Food
Society, and Chaine des Rotisseurs. Recently, Tommy established the
Academy of Wine in Singapore, which held the first Court of Master
Sommelier Accreditation Programme.
DR JOHN FORREST – FORREST ESTATE – NEW ZEALAND
Forrest Estate is a winery in Marlborough owned and operated by the same
family for generations. Marlborough's signature grape variety, sauvignon
blanc, is renowned for its intensity, which John has balanced with an
emphasis on complexity in his own, much-acclaimed Forrest Estate
Sauvignon Blanc since 1991. With a professional background in biomedical
research, John brings to winemaking the discipline of a scientist and combines
it with his own exuberant personality and artistic flair. The result of John’s
passion is an enviable reputation for his intensely flavoured, appetizingly crisp, and delicate
white wines and for his perfumed, richly-flavoured reds.
STEFANO GAGLIARDO – GIANNI GAGLIARDO - ITALY
Thanks to Gianni’s foresight and to the presence of his two sons, Stefano and
Alberto, this family-run company is future-oriented, always young and
dynamic. Stefano, oenologist and Alberto, viticulturists are both running the
company actively under the guidance and supervision of Gianni. Stefano takes
more and more the leading role in the winery export activities and market
development. He contributes energetically to the new directions and image
dimension of the Gagliardo family winery.
CAROLINE MOONEY – YERING STATION – AUSTRALIA
Caroline has lived in the Yarra Valley since she was just three months old. She
has witnessed the Valley’s development from mainly dairy land to its return to
early heritage of sprawling vineyards. Caroline’s great interest in wine was
always encouraged by her father, a keen collector. She has now been in the
industry for over ten years and is on the eve of her eighth vintage as part of the
Yering Station winemaking team
JOSE MANUEL ORTEGA – O.FOURNIER WINES – SPAIN, ARGENTINA
José Manuel Ortega Gil-Fournier, born in Burgos (Spain) in 1968, graduated in
Economics and Political Science from the Wharton School at the University of
Pennsylvania (USA). In 1999, he enhanced his love for wine by visiting
Mendoza in order to invest in a property. May 2000 was the beginning of O.
Fournier winery Group. Since then, the O.Fournier Company has expanded
dramatically with success and now holds vineyards in Spain, Argentina, and
Chile.
LARRY STONE – RUBICON ESTATE – RUTHERFORD, USA
Larry Stone may be the most highly honoured sommelier in America. He
became the first American to win the title of International Best Sommelier in
French Wines and Spirits in Paris and remains the only American to have
earned the title of Maitre Sommelier from the Union de la Sommelerie
Francaise. He is also an English-certified Master Sommelier, one of a handful
who has passed the examination on the first attempt.
Mount Langi Ghiran - The Grampians (Western Victoria)
Mount Langi Ghiran is home to a state-of-the-art winery and estate vineyards covering over 60 hectares. Using a modern approach, quality is not compromised. Their Shiraz and Cabernets have long been ranked in the absolute top tier of Australia’s reds and are recognized worldwide. The Mount Langi Ghiran trademark: intense fruit flavors. 
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