Avanti Chianti: Winning over Chinese and Russian Markets

The Consorzio Vino Chianti plans a visit Russia for "Solo Italiano - Simply Italian Wine Russia" promotion. The 2 day trip to Moscow and St. Petersburg, on the 4th and 6th of June,  is targeted at consolidating the presence of  the appellation becoming increasingly popular with Russian consumers. According to the Press Release, in 2017, Italian wine exports grew by 35% and this gave the Consortium the impetus to prepare for yet another trip outside Europe, after the recent success of its visit to another large market- China. 

It is an event that goes well beyond the regular format of a wine show or exhibition. It facilitates a direct contact with professionals and international experts in the wine sector. Seminars and guided tastings will be followed by the walk-around tasting. There will be the best of the ‘Made in Italy’ production, with wine labels and wineries from other regions too and the Consortium will have its Chianti section with 26 wineries showcasing their wines in a unified and organised way. 

"It is a great opportunity to strengthen our presence in a market that has reignited a genuine passion for our wine,” says Giovanni Busi, Chairman of the Consorzio Vino Chianti. “It is good to take advantage of this golden ticket to step up our marketing activity, which is focused and tailor-made. A forward-thinking activity with a long-term focus that looks to support wineries in winning over a market with enormous potential,” he adds.

On this occasion of "Solo Italiano", the Consortium has also invited major importers from neighbouring countries, in particular those in the Baltic Sea, to the events for specific meetings to create new business relationships.

On the China Visit last week, Busy commented it was a great result but it was just the beginning. Chianti is the most famous appellation in China, according to WineITa , the number one website in China. The Consorzio Vino Chianti received this great recognition during the last edition of Interwine, one of the biggest exhibitions in the sector,  that took place in Guangzhou, previously known as Canton, capital of the province of Guangdong, from May 18 to 20.

On that occasion 56 Tuscan wineries participated with over 60 labels, in one stand. A unique international showcase with 52 countries present, attracts over 50,000 international visitors twice a year. Giovanni Busi, says it is a recognition that gives us an unmistakable confirmation for the work done so far: we are on the right track, we have laid the foundations in a market with huge potential, which offers many opportunities to our companies. This is just the beginning and we have set a far more forward-looking promotion work that will consolidate our position. Interwine was an important opportunity to strengthen business relationships and build new ones, but we must never let down our guard because China is a vast and attractive market, which requires constant work".

Earlier this year the Consorzio took part for the 4th year in the ‘Tuscan Anteprime Tastings when they took part at Fortezza da Basso in Florence on February 11 when over 100 wineries showcased over 500 labels to the buyers and national and international journalists during the Tuscan Tasting week in Florence and other producing centers in Tuscany that included San Gimignano, Montepulciano and Montalcino. Chianti wines from all its 7 areas- Rufina, Colli Fiorentini, Colli Senesi, Colli Aretini, Montalbano, Colline Pisane, and Montespertoli were showcased by the producers to the visitors that included Subhash Arora as well.

That should be a proper answer to the Indian wine professionals who feel Italians are not aggressive enough in their marketing and support. Their priorities may be different and some may have already changed their thinking about India being a big market-not in the near term, at least.

Subhash Arora

If you Like this article please click on the Like button