Alberto Arizu renews term as president of Wines of Argentina

Alberto Arizu has renewed his mandate as president of Wines of Argentina (WofA) for the next two years, while Argentine wine specialist Phil Crozier, director of wine at Gaucho, has been named as the organisation’s new brand ambassador for UK and Europe.

Alberto Arizu

At the organisation’s general assembly on 11 April, Alberto Arizu was re-elected as president of Wines of Argentina – the institution responsible for promoting the brand ‘Vino Argentino’ in the world – his fourth period as president of the institution having held the post in 2010, 2013 and 2016.

“WofA is synonymous with the commitment that unites all the entrepreneurs of the Argentine vitiviniculture that make up this organisation, working hard to ensure so that our wine is enjoyed in more and more places,” said Arizu. “Today we have renewed the authorities once again and I appreciate the confidence in the re-election of my mandate”.

Arizu graduated with a degree in business administration from the National University of Cuyo, and went on to achieve a postgraduate in strategic marketing at the United States International University of San Diego, and completed a management development program at the IAE Universidad Austral in Buenos Aires.

He is also commercial director of the Arizu family winery, Luigi Bosca, and has been instrumental in co-ordinating activities to promote Argentine wine in international markets, including Malbec World Day which takes place around the world every April 17.

Phil Crozier, director of wine at Gaucho, has been appointed brand ambassador for Wines of Argentina in the UK and Europe

Phil Crozier, the director of wine at UK chain of Argentine restaurants Gaucho, has also been brought on board to support the efforts of Wines of Argentina, having been appointed as the organisation’s brand ambassador for the UK and Europe.

Crozier will be responsible for guiding the strategy and managing activities to raise the premium perception of Argentine wines, with a particular emphasis on the on-trade.

Crozier is the director of wines at Gaucho, which has become a flagship institution for Argentine wine, and a specialist in Argentine wine, having done much to promote its diversity of styles and terroirs to support its success in the premium UK on-trade.

Exports of Argentine wine to the UK have increase by more than 77% in the past four years (2013-2017), with off-trade sales of Argentine wines growing by 19% in the past year, according to Nielsen. 

Phil Crozier was recommended for the role by Andrew Maidment, former head of Wines of Argentina in Europe, who has been at the forefront of WofA’s efforts in Europe and Asia for the past 10 years. He stepped down from the role last month.

“It has been a huge privilege to have worked at Wines of Argentina for so long and during such a successful period for the country,” he said.

“There has been a seismic shift in the global popularity Argentine wine industry during this time, and today Argentina is undoubtedly one of most exciting wine producing nations in the world. On both a personal and professional level it has been a pleasure to have worked on innovative projects with so many outstanding people – and I want to thank everyone for making me part of the Argentine wine family.”