By James Wells
Over 20 Australian wineries will be represented next month at ProWein 09 — the world’s largest industry wine and spirits trade show — along with 3000 exhibitors from more than 40 countries.
ProWein 09 will be held from March 29 to 31 in Dusseldorf, Germany, and is expected to attract more than 30,000 visitors.
Australian winemakers participating in the event include De Bortoli Wines, Kingston Estate, Peter Lehmann, Foster’s, Lion Nathan, Brown Brothers, Tamar Ridge, Songlines Estates, Sandfire Australian Wines, Nugan Estate, Wakefield Wines, Warburn Estate, Yarraman Estate, Shaw Vineyard Estate, Longview Vineyard Wines, Blue Pyrenees Estate, Clairault Wines, Cumulus Wines, Fox Gordon and First Creek Wines.
More than 200 suppliers representing ‘new world’ countries, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand, South Africa, USA and Uruguay. Eastern European regions will represent over 100 exhibitors from Bulgaria, Georgia, Macedonia, Moldavia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Hungary and Russia.
Algeria and Berlarus are among the new countries represented for the first time at the event. Also exhibiting at the event will be a wide variety of spirit manufacturers and there is expected to be a major emphasis on matching food to cocktails.
“Because of the strong presence of all the new and existing players in this very competitive market, it is ever more important that Australia puts in a strong presence at ProWein to maintain and increase its market share,” said ProWein’s Australian representative, Rudi Barth.
“And given the advantages of the deterioration Australian Dollar, the task of not only staying in the market but also increasing market share is not unrealistic."
Added Wilhelm Niedergoeker, managing director of the Dusseldorf fair: “ProWein’s concept is truly one-of-a-kind in the whole world. It extends unto all relative market segments and provides all manner of important orientation aids to every part of the industry.”
For more information on exhibiting and attending ProWein 2009, call 02 8966 9159 or click here.