By Amy Looker
Wine Australia recently hosted its most successful tasting event in Japan to date, attracting over 450 wine trade and media to the annual Wine Australia Tasting 2012 Japan event.
Taking place in Tokyo, the record attendance by Japan's leading wine trade across both the on and off-premise supports the country's growing interest in premium Australian wines, according to Wine Australia's general manager, James Gosper.
"The overwhelming response to the event in terms of importer and winery participation and attendance by the top trade and media, suggests there’s definitely a taste for Australian wine in the Japan market and a thirst to learn more," Gosper said.
"This event gives our wineries and brands the opportunity to surprise and delight attendees, many of whom have purchasing authority for restaurants, with a diverse selection of Australian wines. Feedback from attendees suggests this event helps to showcase the sophistication of Australian wines and demonstrate how well they suit the palates of Japanese wine lovers."
The tasting also included a Landmark Shiraz Masterclass for 40 leading trade and media representatives, featuring 11 benchmark Australian Shirazes, showcased by Australia’s first Master of Wine, Michael Hill Smith from Shaw + Smith and Honorary A+ Australian Wine Specialist, Yoshiji Sato.