VINEXPO Asia-Pacific sets new records

HONG KONG – VINEXPO Asia-Pacific, the region’s premier wine & spirits trade expo, returns to Hong Kong in 2014 expecting to break new records in both the number of exhibitors and visitors.

Vinexpo Asia-Pacific is held in Hong Kong on alternate years to VINEXPO Bordeaux which is the world’s biggest wine & spirits trade exhibition.
To accommodate the tremendous growth, the showcase from May 27 to 29 will occupy 50% more floor space – extending over two halls at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre – with 92 per cent already reserved. In 2014, around 200 new exhibitors will be lining the aisles of the exhibition, almost half of which are French.
More than 20 wine producing nations from France, Italy and Spain to ‘New World’ wine & spirit producers from Australia, Chile, South Africa, the United States, New Zealand, Japan and Mexico are represented.
Among exhibitors, both Italy and Spain are notably expanding their presence at this year’s VINEXPO Asia-Pacific. Italy is doubling its exhibition space, with the Italian “ICE” pavilion and a larger area for different winegrowing regions. With an explosion of Spanish tapas and wine bars in Asia, Spain is trebling its showcase area, with three regional pavilions representing Rioja, La Mancha and Castilla-La-Mancha, and Catalan producer Cordoniu.
Champagne producers are also bubbling with anticipation, including Billecart-Salmon, Bollinger, Lanson International Diffusion, Moutard and Devaux, Henriot, Drappier, Bruno Paillard and Palmer & Co.
Prestigious spirits distillers such as Luding Trade, American Beverage Marketers and Russian Distiller will be exhibiting alongside renowned French cognac houses like Godet, Menuet and Ferrand, Chateau du Breuil Armagnac and many others.
With a great selection of wine exhibitors present this year, almost 18,000 travel retail decision-makers, importers, distributors and major purchasers are also expected to set a new record in the number of industry professionals attending this year – up from 15,000 in 2012.
Exclusive conferences and tastings

For those participants seeking scholarly wine advice, world-acclaimed Masters of Wine, tasters, economists, sommeliers and oenologists will discuss latest industry trends and tastes at a wide range of conferences and tastings at the VINEXPO Asia-Pacific Academy.
Master classes include prestigious tastings of French wines, along with spotlights on South African, Portuguese, Chilean and Spanish wines, and numerous spirits-based events. The full programme will be posted on the Vinexpo web site in April 2014.
Undisputed gateway to APAC market
Since launching in Hong Kong in 1998, VINEXPO Asia-Pacific has become a shop window to the region for the world’s wine and spirits professionals.
In the five years since the Hong Kong government cancelled its import duty on wines in 2008, Hong Kong wine imports have practically doubled, reaching a total value of €316.3 million in 2012 – much for re-exporting regionally.

Due to demand, VINEXPO Asia-Pacific 2014 will occupy 50% more floor space – with 92% already reserved
“Hong Kong has become an essential cog in the wheels of trade and distribution of wine throughout Asia-Pacific – so exhibitors know that at VINEXPO Asia-Pacific, they are visible at the heart of the region’s market,” said Guillaume DeglisNike Air Penny 3