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ProWine Asia returns to Singapore
The second edition of ProWine Asia (Singapore) kicked off on 24 April with 9,000 trade visitors converging on Singapore Expo for the four-day showcase of wine and spirits alongside the Food&HotelAsia (FHA) show.
As the largest show to date, visitors were able to meet with 3,500 international food, drinks and hospitality exhibitors across 120,000 square metres at FHA in conjunction with a further 300 international wines and spirits exhibitors across 7,500 sqm at ProWine Asia 2018.
“PWA 2018 has seen significant growth in terms of the range of exhibitor profiles and trending wines and spirits profiles. This year we welcome first time participation from Croatia, stronger presence from regions such as Chianti, Rioja and Catalonia, and even the participation of Asian wineries, alongside sustainable, organic and biodynamic wines,” said Beatrice Ho, project director of Messe Düsseldorf Asia, co-organiser of PWA 2018.
“We believe there is great synergy and value for both exhibitors and visitors in co-locating with FHA, from creating opportunities for investment to knowledge transfers and are very excited for what future editions of PWA can become,” she added.
First launched in 2017, the second edition of PWA Singapore is using the country’s strategic position as a trading hub in Asia and its close proximity to other Southeastern Asian countries, which are expected to account for 30% of Asia’s wine business by 2020. Neighbouring countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Philippines are fast becoming discerning wine consumers in this part of the world, averaging between them about 5.6 to 8.7 litres of alcohol per capita a year, said Hans Werner Reinhard, managing director of Messe Düsseldorf, in his opening speech at the trade fair.
In 2017, Asians became the biggest buyers of wine and are set to consume more than four billion bottles of wine by the end of this year, he added. Conversely, wine consumption in Singapore has been growing steadily, with top ranking wine importers continuing to include countries such as Australia, France, Chile and Italy.
“Singapore is an influential and key wine trading hub in Asia. ProWine Asia (Singapore) serves as a strategic bridge that connects regional wine and spirit traders with international producers who are looking to expand their business footprint into the exciting markets of Southeast Asia,” commented Reinhard.
Expanding on the international feel of the event, this year, ProWine also welcomed several firsts, including participation from countries such as Croatia, and even Thailand, alongside a comprehensive series of masterclass sessions in understanding Champagne and how to taste blind, to presentations on Welsh whisky and Southeast Asian wines, from some of the best industry speakers and Masters of Wine in the region.
The trade fair also saw the return of the Champagne Lounge – a special showcase that gives Champagne producers a unique environment in which they can present themselves to professional circles, according to the organiser.
For sommeliers, bartenders and industry specialists, meanwhile, PWA 2018 included a series of seminars on the flourishing tropical viticulture in Southeast Asia, how to detect aromas in whiskey, and understanding craft beer. Additionally, the fair had the first-ever running of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 1 Award course in Wines.