By Andrew Starke
NSW winemaker John Cassegrain has celebrated Cassegrain Wine’s long-standing relationship with the Shinkansen Japanese Bullet train by visiting Japanese buyers late last year.
Cassegrain Wines has been an exclusive supplier to the bullet train for nearly 20 years.
As part of his trip, Cassegrain hosted special wine dinners at leading hotels including the 5-star Marriott Nagoya Associa Hotel, the Shinagawa Prince Hotel and the Hotel Associa Nagoya Terminal who all stock a growing selection of Cassegrain Wines in their restaurants and premium bottle shops.
“The Japanese wine market has traditionally been dominated by France and Italy but it was exciting for me to see first-hand the growing awareness of quality Australian wines which provides a great opportunity for us,” said Cassegrain.
“It’s an important market for Cassegrain Wines and the bullet train and associated hotels and restaurants owned by JR Tokai are a premium account. I really enjoyed having the time to connect personally with our key contacts in Japan, and a highlight for me was the opportunity to visit the driver’s cabin on the bullet train.”
With the Shinkansen bullet train network expanding the portfolio of Cassegrain Wines offered on-board, Cassegrain is also looking forward to hosting representatives of the rail network owned by JR Tokai at the winery in 2010.