Vinexpo starts against the backdrop of the economic crisis

"In times of crisis, we need to undergo larger efforts to stay in contact with our clients. There, to us, Vinexpo offers a great opportunity to present ourselves to experts worldwide for five days," emphasized Xavier de Eizaguirre, president of Vinexpo and general director of Baron Philippe Rothschild SA.

The most active winegrowing countries such as Italy, France and Spain, which together account for 52.5 per cent of world wine production, and export more than 5.6 billion bottles of wine, will again be present with a variety of stands. Moreover, Michel Barnier, French Minister of Agriculture, also welcomes five new wine countries: Sweden, Belarus, Egypt, Mauritius and Brazil.

Nevertheless, heavyweights of the industry, such as the American E&J Gallo Winery, one of the biggest wine producers worldwide, or the renowned Champagne house Taittinger will be absent this year.

"In 2009, after being present at Prowein and the London Wine Trade Fair, we felt it would not be necessary to take a stand at Vinexpo," explained James Lousada, Service and Marketing Manager of Constellation Europe, and added: "Which does not mean that we will not be active in 2010."

Many, which will not participate in the fair this year, cite the general economic situation. However, Taittinger denies the tenor of those who are absent: "We have already signalled our importers and large customers at the beginning of this year that we would not be present at Vinexpo. That is why we decided not to participate this year," said Dominique Garretta, Taittinger´s head of marketing and communication.

On the other hand, others explain their decision to forego a stand at Vinexpo with their presence at the London Wine Trade Fair and say that they have already established important and necessary contacts there. As reason for its absence, the E&J Gallo winery cited the signing of a new partnership with the Yvon Mau Freixenet group, which will distribute their wines in France in the future.

The city of Bordeaux, as well as its restaurants and hotels, prepares itself for the rush of wine experts despite the absence of renowned producers and some global players of the international wine sector. Like every year, the hotels in Bordeaux and in the immediate vicinity have been fully booked for weeks. (aw.yoopress)