Wine Australia celebrates Korea and China links

Wine Australia celebrated the free trade agreement with South Korea in Seoul last week and is preparing for a visit of Chinese trade on a “hands on” tasting trip this weekend.

On 5 March, the trade body hosted an event in Seoul entitled: “Discovery of Iconic Australian Reds Masterclass and Tasting”, which was designed to celebrate the Free Trade Agreement between the two countries that was signed in December last year.

Over 100 guests from across the Korean trade had the chance to taste some Australia’s top red wines at a masterclass led by Andrew Caillard MW including; d’Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz 2010, Penfolds Grange 2008, Torbreck RunRig 2010, Vasse Felix Heytesbury 2010 and McWilliams Mount Pleasant Maurice O’Shea Shiraz 2011.

Afterwards, 60 red wines from nine wineries were available at a free pour tasting. Andreas Clark, CEO of Wine Australia, said: “Australian wine has marked a new era in the Korean market, putting its best foot forward before the local influencers.

“The message of Australian fine wine – steeped in history, provenance and personality – resonated well with the audience.  I hope that last week’s masterclass and trade tasting have triggered a desire to learn more about the modern-day world of Australian wine, which will bring a ‘joy of discovery’ to Korean wine lovers.”

Meanwhile, two groups of “influential” Chinese media, trade and educators are arriving in Asutralia for the fifth annual “China Vintage” trip.

The 20 guests will see “first-hand” the harvest being brought in at wineries in New South Wales, Victoria, McLaren Vale, Barossa, Adelaide Hills and Margaret River.

The nine-day visit, complete with dinners, tastings, masterclasses and “informal education sessions”, is designed to show the visitors the uniqueness of each region.

Wine Australia’s regional manager for China, Willa Yang, said: “One of best things about Australian wine is its sheer diversity, so it’s been wonderful to get so much support from regions right across Australia. It allows us to take these important wine influencers to more regions than ever before from the Riverina in NSW to Margaret River in Western Australia.

“Our guests will get to experience an Aussie vintage and at the end of this trip I know they’ll have a better understanding of Australian wine quality and the diversity of our regions.

“It’s our hope that when they return to China, they’ll become ambassadors for Australian wine and will share their positive experiences with their professional and personal networks.”