EUWINA Spring Activities in Asia: Highlights from Busan, Taipei, and Singapore

Hong Kong, May 25th, 2024 – EUWINA recently concluded a series of Spring Masterclasses across Asia, with successful events held in Busan, Taipei, and Singapore each attracting average attendance of 55 guests. These events were designed to enhance awareness and appreciation of wines from the three organizations representing Spain, Italy, and Greece: the Interprofessional Wine Council D.O. La Mancha, Unione Consorzi Vini Veneti – U.VI.VE., and the National Interprofessional Organization of Vine and Wine of Greece, while highlighting the quality standards and certifications that define them.

These sessions not only highlighted European wines but also focused on raising awareness about essential themes like sustainability, biodiversity, and the uniqueness of various ecosystems. Attendees included a diverse group of importers, distributors, hospitality professionals, sommeliers, and media representatives from across Asia, contributing to a rich and engaging experience.

BUSAN – 13thMay

The masterclasses in Busan were a success. The session commenced with welcoming remarks from Mr. Vincenzo Campitelli, Honorary Consul of Italy in Busan, and Luis Martinez, International Manager of D.O. La Mancha.

Participants enjoyed a tasting experience presented by Ms. Insoon Lee, who led a discussion on minimal intervention and sustainability in winemaking, sparking engaging conversations and insightful questions among attendees. She encouraged participants to explore how sustainability, certified organic practices, and biodynamic methods influence winegrowing, winemaking, and the overall flavor profiles of European wines.

SINGAPORE – 16thMay

The Masterclasses in Singapore were an extraordinary event hosted by Ms. Annette Scarfe MW. The event attracted a diverse group of attendees who enjoyed another great selection of wines from Wines of Greece, Unione Consorzi Vini Veneti (Italy), and D.O. La Mancha (Spain). The tasting was attended by 55 professionals from the trade and press, all eager to explore new and exciting flavors.

Mr. Antonio García Rebollar, the Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy of Spain in Singapore, and Mr. Giorgio Calveri, the Italian Trade Commissioner for Singapore, gave speeches to add a distinguished touch to the occasion.

TAIPEI – 17thMay

Lastly, the final EUWINA Masterclasses of the Spring season were held in Taipei, featuring three insightful seminars led by Mr. Aaron Tsai Hsun Chuang focusing on sustainable practices and the biodiversity of European vineyards.

The event counted with the participation of Mr. Luis Martinez, the International Director of D.O. La Mancha; Mr. Enrico Condemi, the Director of the Italian Trade Commission in Taiwan; and Mr. Eduardo Euba, the Director of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan.

As we look ahead, EUWINA is set to host an exciting autumn edition of Masterclasses in China and Korea this October and November, with events planned in Hangzhou, Xiamen, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Seoul.

Reflecting on our successful spring Masterclasses, we are eager to build on that momentum as we approach the autumn sessions. We look forward to sharing more exceptional wines and fostering deeper connections within the industry in these vibrant markets.

ABOUT THE BENEFICIARIES

D.O. La Mancha is a Spanish Denominación de Origen Protegida (DOP) for wines, with over 190,000 hectares planted to vines, and it is the largest continuous vine-growing area in the world. It is located in the autonomous region of Castilla-La Mancha in central Spain. La Mancha has a vast wine-growing tradition, which, added to a series of characteristic geological, geographical, and climatic elements that define it, make it an ideal territory to produce excellent grapes and subsequently give life to great wines, with very peculiar nuances. La Mancha wines are today among the most exquisite and prestigious in the world, they are tasted throughout Spain and also exported to the five continents, turning Castilla-La Mancha into the leading Autonomous Region of Spain in terms of wine exports in volume.

The Unione Consorzi Vini Veneti – U.VI.VE. was set up thirty years ago involving almost all the region’s Consorzi di Tutela (wine protection consortia). A far-sighted decision that has produced results over time. The U.VI.VE.’s main role is to represent Veneto’s DOC wine sector. Through the consortia, it coordinates the crucial monitoring and control activities of the production and marketing of Veneto DOC and DOCG wines, also intending to combat fraud and abuse affect designations of origin and consortium brands. This protection ranges from guarantees for traceability to winemaking using traditional methods. Strict controls cover every single step of the entire wine-production chain, from the vineyard to the shop shelf.

National Interprofessional Organization of Vine and Wine of Greece. Greece has arguably one of the longest wine histories in the world as wine has always been an integral part of Greek culture since antiquity. Greece might not be the first country to produce wine, but what can be attributed to Ancient Greece is the development of a culture encompassing all aspects of wine: vine growing, production, legislation, trading, and, of course, the art of consuming wine. Despite their huge heritage, the Wines of Greece can promote themselves solely by virtue of their present attributes and not past glories. In the last three decades, a wind of change has been blowing through Greek wine production, turning a relatively traditional agricultural sector into a cutting-edge entity in today’s wine world. Greek producers have invested heavily in people, education, know-how, and technology, starting a steep learning curve.