ProWine China 2020 counts down to November show

Now in its eighth edition, ProWine China is ready to welcome guests to the three-day trade fair at the Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC) from 10 to 12 November.

Despite international travel restrictions and with social distancing measures, ProWine China is confident of being able to pull off a successful event.

According to the organisation, stocks in China are hitting a low ebb and most dealers are ready to place new orders for the coming year after months of reservation. A comprehensive hygiene concept has been established by ProWine to allow buyers from all over China to visit the show safely.

Regardless of the impact brought about by Covid-19, the organiser have recruited a great number of exhibitors for ProWine China. Individual exhibitors include well-known companies like Les Grands Chais de France (GCF), Schmitt Söhne and Henkell Freixenet.

On top of this, 14 major wine-growing nations are represented with their own country pavilions: France (Business France), Spain (ICEX and Prodeca), Portugal (Wines of Portugal), Italy (Consorzio Vini Mantovani), Germany (Federal Ministry for Food and Agriculture), German Wine Institute (DWI), Austria (Wirtschaftskammer Österreich), Slovenia (Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry and Food), Australia (Wine Australia), Argentina (Wines of Argentina), Brazil (Apex-Brasil), Chile (Wines of Chile), the US (California Wine Institute) as well as Japan (Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association). However, due to the current travel restrictions, the majority of the trade fair stands will be manned by the respective importers and/or the local representatives.

Chinese wines have been attracting wider attention in recent years. This year, a number of wine-growing estates from the most important wine-growing regions will again be presenting the diversity of Chinese wines at the stand of UP-Chinese Wine. In addition to this, the Yinchuan Helan Mountain Eastern Foothills Wine Industry Alliance will be presented for the first time with several wine estates from the region. Market leader COFCO Great Wall will participate for the third time as well.

Education and training and is an important part of the trade fair. This year the supporting programme comprises over 30 events, including seminars, lectures and masterclasses.

Professor Li Demei will continue to chair the industry forum at ProWine China 2020 under the heading “The Effects of the Coronavirus Pandemic on Wine Consumption – Opportunity and Reaction of the Industry”. Events include the three-day WSET Masterclass as well as a wide choice of tasting courses at the country pavilions. The courses are hosted by renowned figures in the Chinese wine industry, including Lu Yang, the world’s first Chinese Master Sommelier, and Gus Zhu, the first Chinese Master of Wine. Furthermore, the third day of ProWine China will see the biggest saké blind tasting competition yet held in China.

For the guests who are unable to travel to Shanghai, the WSET, the California Wine Institute and some of the other exhibitors will be streaming their events live online as well.