A budget of 113 million euros has been allocated from now until 2010 by the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture to promote Spain’s wine growing industry. The objective is become the world’s leading wine producer. At the same time, France invents the pregnant woman logo on labels and finances campaigns referring to wine as a product that is harmful for health! (Source: Revue du vin de France)

The Financial Secretary of Hong Kong has just proposed today to exempt the duties on wine, beer and all other alcoholic beverages except spirits with immediate effect. Vinexpo, who has advocated such a reduction for many years, is delighted with this decision. Having negotiated an exemption from customs duties for its exhibitors during Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2006 in Hong Kong, Vinexpo joined and supported the Hong Kong Wine and Spirits Industry Coalition which has led an active lobbying campaign in favour of a reduction in customs charges (Source Vinexpo).

Just three months before the International Wine and Spirits Exhibition opens its doors, Vinexpo’s Technical Manager and architect Pauline Mercier travelled to Hong Kong to check the building of Vinexpo stands (turnkey solutions designed to meet exhibitors’ needs and erected on site by our teams) and make sure that the services provided by our partners are of reliable quality. Meetings were also planned with representatives of the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre to take final decisions on the general fittings and decoration of the exhibition, and agree on the stand erection and dismantling schedule. (Source Vinexpo)

ASC, the leading importer in China, has just opened its “Wine Residence” in Shanghai, a luxurious wine centre consisting of 180 fully equipped cellars that will be rented out to private customers in which they can keep their best wines. The centre also includes tasting rooms, a library, a museum and a retail outlet, where ASC will always have available a range of 2,000 wines worth $1.5 million. The “Wine Residence” should also host training courses and introductions to wine run by the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET). (Source : VSB)

The Quebec Société des Alcools (SAQ) has just announced that a fund is to be set up to develop the sommellerie profession by contributing to the expansion of accredited professional training organisations (ASPs). 550,000 Canadian dollars (€378,500) will be invested over five years to enhance programmes and develop infrastructures. (source VSB)

Marcus Moller-Racke, CEO of the German group Racke, has announced the sale of its Hechstein winery in Mainz am Rhein to Grands Chais de France. The deal includes the winery and bottling unit as well as the Amselkeller, Bongeronde, Rosière and Viala brands (representing turnover of €24 million). In this move, Racke leaves the bottom-of-the-range wine segment of products sold at less than €3 per bottle, to focus on international joint ventures and its premium brands such as Lamberti and Yellow Tail. (Source : Décision Boissons)

In its 2020 strategic plan adopted a little more than three years ago, the Argentinean wine industry set itself the ambitious objective of reaching $2 billion in export sales. For 2007, the objective was $600 million, which was already exceeded in November with $610 million worth of wines and musts exported, an increase of 32.5% over 2006. The 2008 objective is $800 million, double that of 2005. The US accounts for almost a quarter of the Argentinean exports, followed by UK, Canada and Brazil. (Source : VSB)