By
Monday morning the skies and overall mood had calmed
enough for Juppé, French Agriculture Minister
Christine Lagarde and others to officially welcome the
wine world to the region with optimistic words about
the future.
Noting that global wine sales continue to rise, Lagarde
highlighted how France's wine industry was being helped
by the growth in exports, particularly to the United
States, which is the country's biggest foreign market.
"I lived in Chicago for several years and can vouch
for the exceptional prestige which French wines enjoy
in the USA," she said. She also stressed the importance
of the emerging Asian markets, such as China and Singapore.
Vinexpo returns to Hong Kong for the third time, in
2008.
'At Vinexpo 2005, French wines had experienced six
years of falling export sales,' said Lagarde, who took
over from former agricultural minister Dominique Bussereau
a month ago. '2006 saw a reversal of that trend; with
exports up 11.4%, and export profits currently standing
at €7.7b, equivalent to 150 Airbuses,' she added.
Lagarde also devoted much of her speech to the continued
challenges that French winemakers face, and said the
government must continue to work to bring down trade
barriers, develop good relations with key markets which
include India, Japan and Russia, and fight to protect
recognition of geographic origins, such as the French
AOC.
To be more competitive internationally, she pointed
to the need to institute industry reforms and make French
wine more understandable to consumers, by methods such
as putting the grape variety on the label.
Over 45000 persons from 144 countries are expected
to pack Vinexpo's several large exhibition halls in
an unprecedented through Thursday. With about 2,400
exhibitors from 45 countries on hand, producers fight
to get as much of buyers' attention as possible.
Following the breakdown of air conditioning breakdown
in 2003, it appears the Show is becoming too hot to
handle. Nearly 2,000 bottles for Wines of South Africa
(WOSA), Fosters, Gallo, Distel and Cape Legends were
stopped by the customs and excise people at the Belgian-French
border as they made their way from Antwerp to Bordeaux.
In a seemingly bizarre situation reminiscent of Indian
Customs & Excise officials (who create problems
but always come good because of the merciful intervention
of senior officials at the eleventh hour), three different
explanations have been given for stopping the shipments.
It is unlikely that the shipment will be released before
the end of the Show.
Also competing for guests' time are lavish dinners
and parties at châteaux, more than 100 tastings,
conferences and roundtables---including a presentation
on global financial trends and a debate on how to promote
moderate alcohol consumption.
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