LWF to welcome Azerbaijan winemakers

Azerbaijan, The Douro and Estrella will be exhibiting at this year’s London Wine Fair for the first time next month.

The Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (Azpromo) will be bringing three of the country’s wineries to London including Aspi Agro-Savalan, the Caspian Coast Winery and Vineyard, and Fireland Vineyards, all of which are seeking UK representation.

Azerbaijan’s South Caucasus region, known as the “cradle of wine”, has a winemaking history dating back to 6,000 BC and is now one of the main wine producers in the Caspian Sea region.

During 1970’s winemaking was developed by the Soviet authorities and, since the fall of Communism in 1990, Azerbaijan has been modernising its wine industry and developing its export market.

The wineries exhibiting at the London Wine Fair will be showing wines made with largely Pinot Noir, as well as indigenous grape varieties.

English Wine Producers will also be taking up a stand making its return to the trade fair for the first time in more than fifteen years, while the Madeira Wine Institute is exhibiting for the first time since 2005.

Show director, Ross Carter said: “The London Wine Fair has always been about discovery and this year is no exception. 2014 will see exhibitors representing 31 countries, and I’m delighted that this includes a good number of first time exhibiting nations and regions.”