Anna Sério, has been running the competing event, Italissima throughout this week in the grounds of Novotel hotel by the lake close to the fair. She reportedly told decanter that she was injured in a confrontation with Vinexpo marketing director Jean-Francois Ley.
She claims that, of eight pallets of wine and food, six pallets of wine destined for her Italian tasting were 'hidden' in the Palais des Congres, a section of Vinexpo close to grounds where she is holding the tasting.
An attempt to retrieve the wine led to an altercation with Ley. 'He injured my wrist,' she said. 'I went to the police and the doctor.'
'The Police helped our team to recover the pallets in 10 minutes,' she added, saying that the police threatened Vinexpo management.
'Have you seen the marquee?' he said. 'It's not a simple tent, it's a monster visible from a great distance and so close to us that it could have been confusing. It's obvious they want to take advantage of Vinexpo without paying.'
Sério, who said she has organized events with Vinexpo for 12 years, says she was originally turned away by Vinexpo organizers when she approached them to hold her tasting last year. According to her, Vinexpo organizer Robert Beynat and president Xavier de Eizaguirre have refused to enter into discussions with her.
Vinexpo boss Robert Beynat has denied that his senior colleague assaulted her and claims that she was responsible for the attack. He said, 'she was the one to attack,' adding that Jean-Francois Lay suffered scratches and bruises on his face.
Vinexpo has apparently filed an official complaint for 'parasitism' – a French law that prevents businesses taking advantage of a competitor with a higher standing.
One can understand such altercations in today’s 45º C heat of Delhi. But with a nice, sunny or partly cloudy weather with a pleasant temperature of 20º C in Bordeaux, it could be termed only a business fight. |