Wine Australia’s Japan tasting a success

Attendance to Wine Australia’s recent tasting in Japan recorded the highest ever attendance for the event and was hailed as an example of the rising interest in Australian wine in the country.

Held in Tokyo on the 3 September, the annual tasting saw 18 importers present over 300 wines from 48 producers.

The event saw a total of 463 guests attend and a seminar held in conjunction with the tasting, on tactics for successfully engaging restaurants and retailers, was also deemed a success with an additional 150 people accessing the seminar online via Ustream.

Guests were also able to go on “Walking Trails” with Wine Australia’s A+ specialists, who guided groups of up to 60 on themed tours of the tasting.

Wine Australia’s regional manager, Hiro Tejima, said: “Securing the largest turnout we’ve ever had at our annual tasting demonstrates the renewed excitement and interest in Australian wine in the Japanese market, with many exhibitors commenting on the increased number of decision makers from the trade in attendance.

“With the JAEPA soon to be ratified, the Japanese wine trade is turning its focus to Australia and it’s important we continue to promote the diversity in style and price points of Australian wine.”