ProWein 2017: Exhibitor Highlights

In our second preview of ProWein 2017, db highlights some of the activities exhibitors will be putting on during the annual trade show, which opens on Sunday.

[photo by Messe Dusseldorf]

Kleine Zalze – Hall 9/B28 & Hall 9/B48

South Africa’s Kleine Zalze will be showcasing all four of its wine ranges at this year’s ProWein – the MCC, Cellar Selection, Vineyard Selection & Family Reserve Range, with visitors able to taste the new vintages that will launch later this year. In its sights is a US importer, as it feels the country will be a sustainable market in the future. Kobus Basson (left) managing director of Kleine Zalze said although the business placed a lot of focus on its UK and European customers, where the biggest percentage of its exports go, the company was placing a bigger emphasis on finding an importer in the United States as a sustainable market with great potential for its wines.

Oldenburg Vineyards – Hall 9/B28 & Hall 9/B48

South African winery Oldenburg Vineyards will be showing its new Viognier 2015, a new single-varietal release from its 30-hectare estate in the Banghoek Valley outside Stellenbosch, as well as its existing portfolio of single varietal wines. It is hoping to broaden its geographical base, targeting new markets including Belgium, The Netherlands, Hong Kong, China, and Denmark, according to brand and marketing manager Anetha Connan. “Competition in the wine industry is ever growing – not only on the international platform but also from within South Africa, as quality increases continuously. Interest and awareness of South Africa are renewed as a result of the young, dynamic and innovative winemakers making a name for themselves, and also drawing the spotlight to South Africa,” she said.

New Zealand Winegrowers  – Hall 9/D38

The New Zealand Pavilion is set to host 40 producers, with around 200 wines available to taste from eight of New Zealand’s key regions. However this year the organisation will be shining a light on the increasing diversity of New Zealand Pinot Noir at this year’s ProWein, via a programme of themed tastings and seminars, such as looking at organic Pinot Noir or the regionality of the variety.

Yealands Wine Group – Hall 9/E33

Exhibiting at its own stand at ProWein for the fifth year, New Zealand’s Yealands will be introducing new lines and concentrating on its lower-alcohol wines from the award-winning Peter Yealands range, which it says have sold well in its domestic market. Simon Kelly, European sales director of Yealands Wine Group said the group relished the three day opportunity to meet its global trade partners. “For us, it’s an opportunity to discuss market dynamics with our partners, introduce some new lines, and also give them an update on where the NZ industry is at and how vintage is shaping up,” he said. “We always seem to generate new business at the fair, so look forward to meeting new potential partners in other markets and channels.”

Wine Australia – Hall 9/G02

Wine Australia’s stand will feature over 500 wines from 76 wineries representing 34 regions in the country – but the trade body is aiming to challenge visitors’ perceptions of the country with a series of events and tastings across the three days, which are being held on the Wine Australia stand, in the ProWein Forum (Hall 10) and at the the WSET stand in the North Entrance. This will give visitors the opportunity to experience the breadth and depth of contemporary Australian wine, it said. Sessions include a look at the country’s cool-climate regions, Mediterranean varieties and old vines, while visitors will be able to try both classic and ‘alternative’ varieties. It will also host a food and wine matching session with Christina Fischer exploring Australia’s diverse culinary heritage, which is expected to be very popular, and a Wine Australia’s Happy Hour being held on the Sunday and Monday nights.

In addition the wineries exhibiting under Wine Australia’s umbrella, many are participating on their own stands, including De Bortoli Wines, Calabria Family Wines, Treasury Wine Estates, Accolade Wines, Casella Family Brands, Australian Vintage, Berton Vineyards, Kingston Estate, Two Hands Wines, Nugan Estate, Limestone Coast, Negociants and Global Beverage Brands.

Angove Family Winemakers – Hall 9/G06

McLaren Vale-based wine business Angove Family Winemakers will continue to focus on its organic wines at this year’s show. It is showing its McLaren Vale Wild Olive Organic wines, as well as organic wines from South Australia that are sourced from its own organic vineyards. Regional export manager Jonathan O’Neill noted an increase in Asian buyers coming to ProWein each year, although it uses the show as an opportunity to meet its European importers and buyers.

Aresti Chile Wine S.A. –  Hall 9/J52

Vina Aresti is launching a new Cabernet Sauvignon from the earliest grapevines of its vineyards, founded back in 1951. The new wine complete the Trisquel Series that launched at ProWein last year. It is also revealing a new look and name for its Aresti Reserva range, which has renamed after its Bellavista estate, as well as presenting its Aresti and Espiritu de Chile portfolios to the trade, including the icon wine launched last year, Código de Familia 380.

Sogevinus – Hall 10/F42

Port producer Sogevinus will be showcasing a selection of its Colheitas ports from several decades, with wine dating from 1935 to 2007.

Marqués de Cáceres – Hall 10/G152

The Spanish producers will be showing its entire portfolio, with all the latest vintages available for tasting. This includes the bodega’s Excellens range from Rioja and Rueda: Reserva, Special Cuvée Red, Viura White & pale pink Rosé from Rioja and Sauvignon Blanc from its new winery in Rueda.

Primum Familiae Vini – Hall 11/A40

Eleven family wine estates will be exhibiting under the Primum Familiae Vini stand, including Spain’s Miguel Torres, Italy’s Marchesi Antinori, Champagne Pol Roger and Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Egon Müller Scharzhof, Vega Silician and Portugal’s Symington Family Estates. The Port producer will be presenting new initiatives, including its special Graham’s Six Grapes Limited Edition gift pack, containing its 20cl Aged Tawnies, a selection of rare Vintage Ports from the 1980s and a new Douro red from the Vilarica Valley, Quinta de Ataide, which is the first time it has been seen outside Portugal.

Euan Mackay, sales director at Symington Family Estates said the show was a chance to focus on building on the on-trade success of its large Port formats as it looked to expand the distribution of its growing range of premium quality Douro Doc wines.

Anivin de France – Hall 11/A99

Returning to ProWein for another year, Anivin de France will be showcasing the line-up of award-winning Vin de France wines. These 138 recently unveiled wines were selected as the ‘best value’ wines in the Vin De France Best Selection tasting held in February. It marks the cream of the crop of this year’s competition, which saw 460 wines wines entered – up nearly 17% from last year – from nearly 100 different winemakers. Of these, 33 wines were awarded a coveted gold, with 105 winning silver. The judging panel was made up of 47 wine professionals and buyers who selected wines they felt would work best for their customers. Among them were 34 international judges hailing from key markets including the UK and Germany, Scandinavia, the US and Canada, China, Japan and Hong Kong – and for the first time -Australia. This year there was a strong showing from red wine, with Merlot and Syrah showing well, which Chardonnay flights dominated the white wine, impressing the judging panels. Rosés also scored well, with the organisers noting the particularly good vintage across France in 2016. “The category once again demonstrated the exciting innovation that is now a traditional part of our judges’ discovery at the tasting,” the organisers said. The award was launched after the establishment of the Vin de France classification, in 2009, which allowed producers of cross-regional blends to feature the vintage and grape on the front label. The category now makes up a significant 15% of France’s exports. All of this year’s award-winning wines will be on show at the Anivin de France stand.

The Guibert family of Mas de Daumas Gassac

Chateau Leoube – Hall 11/B66

Provence-based Chateau Leoube will be at ProWein for its fourth consecutive year, but this year is set to be an important one for the rose producer as it launches a new rosé Millesime to the international trade. “It is one of the best fairs to attend,” sales and marketing director Jérôme Pernot said, pointing out provided a good opportunity to see its distributors. “Buyers are on a mission and know exactly what they want if they need a premium organic estate grown rosé.”

Mas de Daumas Gassac – Hall 11/F49

France-based winemaker Mas de Daumas Gassac will be launching new signature wines from the Gassac Valley, including the “fabulous” 2016 vintages and two new varietal wines, a Viognier & Pinot Noir. “It took us more than 20 years to find some Pinot Noir at a level that met our expectations to respect the varietal character and keep an elegant freshness,” winemaker Basile Guibert said. Other wines on show include its Cabernet-based red blend and a rosé from the younger Daumas Gassac vineyards.

Champagne Bruno Paillard – Hall 12/05

Champagne Bruno Paillard will be showcasing the full range of its multi vintage wines as well as the latest vintage cuvées, three of which were launched in 2016.In addition, Alice and Bruno Paillard will be hosting a series of daily vertical tasting of their new prestige 2003 cuvée NPU (Nec Plus Ultra), which is by invitation only. The 2003 cuvée is the fifth NPU to be released and comes from a single plot, numbering only 4,200 bottles. Alice Paillard noted that the trade show had “grown significantly” in recently years and although still “very European, we are starting to meet more people from Asia and America”.

Reh Kendermann – Hall 13/A21

Reh Kendermann’s prime focus is the 50th anniversary of its flagship brand Black Tower, which launches with a new marketing campaign and a host of brand extensions. It is launching Black Tower Sparkling ICE White and Rosé, a Black Tower Blush and Sauvignon Blanc and a new alcohol-free variant, B Zero by Black Tower. It will also present a cross-section of its portfolio, including the recently launched B Fruitiful. and the relaunched Kendermanns brand. Alison Flemming MW, Reh Kendermann added that she looked forward to speaking to our partners and customers, existing and potential, about the company’s plans for extending awareness of the brand and opening up sampling opportunities via  innovative marketing and PR campaigns.

Schmitt Söhne Wines – Hall 13/A22

The German wine producer is launching new products and brand extensions at the show, including a sparkling brand extension called Relax Bubbles, and a new line called Global Roaming, focusing on dry wines from around the globe. Thomas Schmitt, CEO, Schmitt Söhne Wines said the trade show was one of the most important trade event in the year and the key focus for the winery. “From our experience, most of the main players attend which makes other European shows obsolete,” he observed. “This naturally does not count for the US and Asian markets, but we are observing more and more the trend towards customers from these markets visiting ProWein as well. It is also a good chance to observe new trends amongst competitors.”

Bosco Viticultori Casa Vinicola Bosco Malera – Hall 15/D21

Italian Prosecco supplier Bosco Viticultori will concentrate on the launch of the restyled single-vineyard estate it recently acquired, primarily targeting markets outside Europe. Paolo Lasagni, managing director of Bosco Viticultori said the trade show was being “the wine fair” to attend, although the three days were becoming insufficient to go through all the potential meetings. “As a consequence, we are focusing mainly on the new world and Far East, where we do not have the opportunity to visit as frequently as Europe,” he said.

Giusti Wine of Nervesa della Battaglia – Hall 15/C51

Treviso-based producer Giusti Wine of Nervesa della Battaglia  is launching new wines at ProWein – a DOC Montello Recantina 2014, from a native red grape, whose production area is limited to only six hectares in Italy due to the vines being largely grubbed up across the region by the invading armies of Napoleon Bonaparte. It is also presenting the new vintages of its Asolo Superiore DOCG Prosecco Brut and single-vineyard Prosecco DOC Treviso Rosalia.

Buckingham Schenk, Schenk Wine Group – Hall 16/J03

Buckingham Schenk will be at Prowein this year with a focused range of wines highlighting its capabilities as part of the Schenk Wine Group along with a new portfolio of suppliers. Wines on show include Viñalba from Argentina, Gran Castillo and La Pepica from Spain, Amayna from Chile as well as key wines from Schenk-owned producers Chateau d’Aigueville in France, and Amicone in Italy. Other producers represented on the stand include Spain’s Cellers Unió, New Zealand producer Rod McDonald & Rock Ferry Wines and Piper’s Brook from Australia.