May 27: World Bulk Wine Exhibition (WBWE), the well known 2-day exhibition in RAI Amsterdam for the last 10 editions, is ready to enter China, as WBWE Asia in Yantai (Shandong) at the Yantai International Expo Center on May 30-31, with over 140 exhibitors ( including about 20 organic producers) from 20 countries, participating at the maiden edition expected to be attended by buyers from across Asia, writes Subhash Arora who also plans to attend the exhibition and various seminars and taste these wines
A wide range of companies from Chile, Spain, Italy, France and South Africa, as well as state delegations with wineries from Argentina and Moldavia, and producers from Australia, Portugal, Ukraine, Georgia, Macedonia, Romania, Uruguay, UK, USA and of course, China will take part as exhibitors in the maiden edition of the World Bulk Wine Exhibition (WBWE) Asia on May 30-31, 2019. All available spaces have been taken and the entries stand closed.
The WBWE in Amsterdam was first-ever global fair devoted to bulk wine, which changed the rules of the game in the international wine industry. Today, it is the biggest event worldwide devoted to bulk wine. WBWE is the centre for debates, conferences, technical tasting sessions and networking for over 6,000 professionals from across the world.
It is one of the most successful and innovative wine shows in recent history helping buyers and sellers conduct billions of Euros worth of business in bulk wine over the last 10 years, making it an important rendezvous for both the producers, buyers and brokers throughout the wine producing regions. Unknown to most, India has also been importing bulk wine in the form of private label BIO (Bottled- in- origin) through some of these participants, though the volumes have been very low so far.
WBWE had seen an increasing number of Chinese buyers at the Show over the last several years. One of the main reasons shared by the visitors was the discovery of different grape varietals from various countries. The Chinese were reportedly getting bored with the traditional grape varieties from France and other countries in general. China is currently the fifth largest wine importer in the world.
Bulk wine also has a premium segment that will be represented as well at WBWE Asia. For instance,Probulkwine belonging to two talented oenologists (French and Chilean each) that have put their skills together will showcase its wines. Firm believers of the high-end bulk wine market, they specialize in quality and unique winemaking projects. It does offer some advantages as it claims to be the only wine of the Exhibition owned 100% by oenologists with international background and quality recognition. One can expect bottled wines that sell for $100 a case at $2/liter ($18/case). Buyers looking for premium range will certainly find it worth their while to search and taste their wines- Arora would be certainly tasting their range of wines being exported to Yantai as they seem to be an attractive source for premium bulk wines. They are well established in Europe and the US & EU, and are now developing the Asian market. What better Exhibition to attend than the WBWE Asia to help in this new market.
Increasing number of organic wineries has been showcasing organic wines in WBWE Amsterdam. There are also about 20 organic producers pitching in their wines for this growing market.
Otlilia Romero de Condés, CEO of WBWE sums up the need for the WBWE Asia as he says, "World Bulk Wine Exhibition in China aims to become the commercial meeting point among international producers and Chinese importers who need to satisfy the increasingly huge demand from Chinese wine consumers,” Besides buyers from China, several Asian buyers including from Korea, Japan and Taiwan have been also invited to attend.
Yantai is China’s City of Wine and the country’s most important port of entry for bulk wine. The port town is located in the eastern province of Shandong- the coastal province of China and a part of the East China Region, with Yellow River as one of its borders. Shandong is one of the top populous and affluent provinces of China today.
The City of Wine is a wine-centric theme park, Changyu operated by Disney. The coastal city has pleasant climate, tourism facilities and leisure areas, a golf course, exhibition grounds and hospitality areas that are ideal for carrying out a business event like this one. With direct flights from Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, and presence of some of the most prestigious wineries of China, makes it an ideal venue for a world-class wine show of this kind.
Over 80% of the bulk wine imported by China comes through Shandong with 96% of such wines entering through the port of Yantai, according to the Chinese government. This makes the city extremely important for the bulk wine sector and has been selected after a lot of deliberations.
Meanwhile, after a rocking show in Yantai, WBWE is slated to get back to RAI Amsterdam for the 11th edition on December 2-3, 2019.
More details at https://www.worldbulkwine.com/en/
For details of exhibitors participating, please click:
http://www.wbweasia.com/exhibitors-2019/
For related earlier Articles, please click
WBWE Asia: World Bulk Wine Exhibition heads to Yantai China on May 30-31
Subhash Arora
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