The results of the eighth edition of the Fair of Wines and Wine Harvest 2008 (Buenos Aires La Rural, 11 to 13 September) were conclusive: 42,620 visitors and 123 exhibitors were presented at the fair organized by Bodegas de Argentina, which was very applauded this year by the city’s public. The note gave this year the presence of Vice President’s Office, Cobos Julio César Mendoza, who presented the show on Wednesday, the opening day for people in the trade (hotels, restaurants, wine shops) is performed. According to some relatives, political talk of the day the ineffable starred governor of San Juan, José Luis Gioia, who have kept some sparks with Vice President for fame that led to his figure the non positive feedback. Let’s get out of the show But political cliques to place in a show that had several surprises. Who better than one of the exhibitors, and wine expert, Fabricio Portelli, director of the magazine En Primeur and Knower, to make an honest assessment. In this show, from the point of view of the public who come for the first time, there are many positive aspects, but for the follower is clear that some major names made some iconic brands were not present missing -. This can be a negative message. But there is much more positive, because the staging is more delicate, space is more comfortable, and I think it has improved in content, with a high-end salon, cooking show, and talks, evaluated. Given that the overall wine consumption continued to fall this year in the domestic market, slid some criticism Portelli who decided not to participate in the show, some saying no good, others saying it is expensive. I think the problem is that in Argentina consumption comes down, versus beer, it rises. Then it is too early to withdraw from any event that promotes strong wine. Right now, after the crisis, and the fall in consumption, the bet should have been redoubled. We can not allow the consumer to leave with a bitter taste because the wine is not always taken, he said. What is fashionable in Buenos Aires This question Fabricio Portelli replied without hesitation. The Pinot Noir for elegance; some speak of Bonarda, but even the best Bonarda not even reach the knees for a good Pinot Noir. As they begin to appear more Pinot Noir in segment 80, 70, 50 pesos Suggested retail, I think are going to take everything, because among the reds are the most elegant, the most tomables, depending on the wine, more complex. For Portelli Malbec cold areas, and blends are best of breed. Cold area, but Mendoza clarification I always say that for me the best 20 wines are from Mendoza, from 21 start recommending wine from other areas of the country, highlights convinced. Torrontés, DO YOU WISH, we asked the expert. Torrontes is a wine that will never be a great wine, but it is unique in the world, and out of 100 people who drink, 50 seems nice, so again take 10 to 1 buy insurance on your house. If someone comes to Argentina and will love the experience and the place, sure will buy again Torrontés. At the show he found many wines that do not know, and strangers. I like that, because I am curious and want to meet new wines, he said. There is always a first time of Codorniu Winery Seventh Group first presented with an important exhibition stand. So important that the VIP lounge was one of the most visited. Ruben Calvo, chief winemaker of the firm, said that because the new trade policy of the hold could be in such an important window and make further contacts with restaurants and wine bars. We are submitting our online Seventh Gran Reserva 2005, Trivarietal high breeding, and Pinot Noir Seventh Night, fermented in oak barrels. The firm also introduced Seventh Day varietal Malbec, Cabernet, Syrah, Tempranillo and Chardonnay, and sparkling, Mary, very popular in the market. This year has been very well said Calvo turnover has doubled and sales of certain wines has grown dramatically. We estimate that when the year is over we will have grown by 30 percent at least evaluated. The Catena group, the only winery that was presented for the first time – was Esmeralda. His business manager Leandro Da Re said that through this presentation is attempted to achieve a rapprochement with the stowage I line, flagship of the winery with a lot of publicity in Buenos Aires for a year and a half ago. The launch was an excellent value for money. Today the price is $ 26 retail and $ 30 in supermarkets and wine shops. It is a very fresh, sweet, balanced wine has wood, but not cover the fruit, Da Re said the fair was avant premiere of two new lines of business. Esmeralda Gran Reserva, Cabernet, Malbec, Chardonnay, and two sparkling, an Extra Brut Chardonnay and Rosé of Malbec. These wines will be launched within a month, in the segment of the $ 40, she said. We also have a Rosé Syrah and Tempranillo, who liked it, and for the clients and friends are enjoying these new releases, Da Re consulted on order as of the fair said. Regarding the opening day, which is generated encounters with the trade, said the presence of representatives of the interior was strong. These meetings were a success, every day came distributors and dealers across the country, he said. Following the general trend, Esmeralda growth was higher in the high segments and lower in lower-value segments, whose consumption does not decline, but the increases do not exceed double digits, according to Da Re said. High-end, but with Carlos Tizio took all wines from Michel Rolland Collection but not placed in the hall of premium wines. He preferred to be where everyone in the general classroom. The day is dedicated to the trade was very good. Customers receive Buenos Aires, La Plata, Mar del Plata, Blue, Bragado, Pringles parchment San Nicolas, cities in which we are small wine bars; Capital many people came from all parts and new clients interested in our wines, Tizio said. Clos de los Siete, which was not presented in the previous fair, decided this year to bring new. Your Holiday Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc and the first of Michel Rolland, and although we have very few bottles, 7 or 8000, brought out a cellar Monteviejo Lindaflor Chardonnay (winery is Clos). Tizio noted that our philosophy is to have a simple, sober stand, no shows, the show makes the wine, we opened wines for $ 25, until Valdeflores of Michel Rolland, $ 200, and the wines of Cuvelier line to obtain 92 , 94 points Parker.
The agronomist said that attending the fair youth, working as sommelier or are students of the trade, helping spread much wine in the domestic market. The sommeliers are interested in the score, because they transmit the knowledge of our wines in wine shops and restaurants. About the presence of the supermarket Jumbo, noted that this chain is working very well with wines, at least three important premises, Palermo, Pan American and Pilar, where they present the wines very well and care prices, making this chain an interesting place to be. Important who came to the show were Michael Brascó specialized journalists, the chef Dolly Irigoyen, international presenter wines Andrés Rosberg, importers of Paraguay, New Zealand and other countries. Only High End A group of wineries decided to present their wines in the wine lounge High Range, a new sector in the Fair Wines and Wineries.
Brands such as Segundo Correas, Norton, Zuccardi and among others, were present in that room, to which access had a differential value ($ 100). The winery Bressia included two of their wines, Tear Canela ($ 150) and Monteagrelo Malbec and Chardonnay ($ 100 and $ 110) in that room. We work with very limited quantities because the winery has little ability to tank and do not buy a third. We have about 5,000 bottles of each of said lines Bressia son Walter, who took the stand personally. The winery also introduced its Lujan Grappa Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc, which was highly praised.
Thanks to this exhibition arose potential importers in some countries and new distributors in domestic market. We have good prospects in Patagonia and Rosario, two strong points for us, said the grocer. The winery was not presented at the show in recent years, but this year decided to participate, even in time of investment. We did a wine to barrels and are now building a wine bottle stowage and finished product. Had to be reversed, because the business requires. So now we can just do a little marketing, Bressia said. Meanwhile, Dante Robino Alta Gama presented his first premium wine, which won a gold medal at the last international competition in Brussels. Is your Gran Malbec 2006, made from vineyards Perdriel three hectares of low yield (5,000 kg of fruit), and supports 18 months in American oak barrels. It went really well with the trade, we find many of their customers plus we always visited people from neighboring countries, said the winery sommelier Sebastian Gamboggi. Bodega El Esteco (Valle de Cafayate Salta) did not show two years ago at the show, and decided to participate this year to enter the Chamber of the High Range. The sommelier Maria Sol Romero of El Esteco taste gave customers the Line Cycles (icon blend Cabernet, Malbec and Syrah), Malbec Rosé, and Torrontés Torrontes Late. Its wine which was brought applause, which changes every year court Altimus Premium Wine 2005 ($ 170) hold. This time a blend of Cabernet, Malbec, Syrah, Bonarda and Tannat was presented. We are also launching a foaming by the market, but this will be in a few days, said the sommelier. The impact on restauranteurs and wine, evaluated the sommelier was very good. There have been many people in restaurants, hotels, people know much wine, and are interested in trying new crops. The numbers of Wines and Wine Harvest 2008 42.620 visitors 123 exhibitors 400 meetings were held in the framework of the 4th international wine buyers Round organized by the ExportAr Foundation, with the participation of 45 wineries. 1,343 people attended the 31 lectures, conferences and courses held in 2 exhibition halls. 635 people participated Cooking Show, a space in which celebrity chefs prepared the most exquisite culinary Live. 860 domestic and foreign journalists were accredited.
