SPECIALLY DESIGNED BY VINEXPO FOR JAPAN

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REPORT VINEXPOTOKYO 2016

On November 15 and 16 Vinexpo Tokyo brought the diversity of the international wine and spirits offer to Japan, putting a special emphasis on innovative niche products and premium wines.

With a +32.8% increase in visitor numbers versus 2014, this 2016 edition of Vinexpo Tokyo proved a tremendous success with the Japanese trade.

The unique and efficient two - day format of Vinexpo Tokyo which impeccably catered the needs of the mature Japanese market, showed just how well the Vinexpo organizers adapt their know-how to different markets around the globe.

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The 2016 edition of Vinexpo Tokyo saw a 32.8% increase in visitor numbers.1

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THE VISITORSThe increase in visitor numbers (+32.8% versus 2014) underlines the relevance of Vinexpo Tokyo to the Japanese market.

Over the two days of the event, 4250 trade visitors attended the exhibition and 129 journalists covered the event.

Vinexpo Tokyo was specifically tailored to suit the needs of the Japanese market. Whilst Japanese buyers were of course the most represented at the exhibition counting for 95.3% of visitors, some buyers from neighbouring countries had also travelled to Tokyo for the occasion: number one amongst the foreign countries was Taiwan with 41 visitors, followed by China, Hong Kong and Korea.

More than one in four visitors (27.8%) were importers. Key import companies such as Suntory Wine International, Mercian, Asahi Breweries, Sapporo Breweries or Nippon Liquor attended.

Visitors cueing at the entry in the morning.

Niche products arose the curiosity of Japanese buyers.

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A great number of On-trade buyers, keen on discovering new products and meeting the producers from around the world, had come to Vinexpo Tokyo (33.7% of visitors). Amongst them were major hotel chains from Tokyo such as Hotel Okura and the Park Hyatt.

Off-trade buyers represented 3.4% of visitors, wine and spirits retailers 6.3% and wholesalers 5.5%. Most notably big off-trade companies like Isetan Mitsukoshi, Takashimaya, Hankyu Hanshin Department stores and Aeon retail had sent their buyers to Vinexpo Tokyo.

The remaining 23.3% of visitors were split between, brokers, members of the state liquor board, buyers from airlines, consultants, wine and spirits educators, e-commerce buyers, and other wine and spirits related professions.

Premium wines were a major feature at Vinexpo Tokyo 2016.

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Buyers had travelled to Vinexpo Tokyo from all over the archipelago including from the 5 major prefectures of Japan, Kangawa, Saitama, Chiba, Osaka and Kyoto. There were for instance Fuji trading, Yokohama Kimijimaya or still Costco Wholesale, three significant importers from Kanagawa. Belluna, a major player for imports and e-commerce from Saitama and Narita International Airport, the duty free buyers from Tokyo’s largest airport situated in the Chiba prefecture had of course participated in Vinexpo Tokyo. Mottox and Smilecorp big importers based in Osaka had also sent their buyers to source wines.

Registration at the gates was smooth and efficient.

More than one in four visitors were importers.

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THE EXHIBITORS

Some 600 wine and spirits brands from 12 different producing countries and hundreds of different regions could be discovered at Vinexpo Tokyo.

Premium wines as well as niche products and novelties to the Japanese market were particularly in the focus of Japanese buyers this year.

Champagne Lanson attracted Japanese buyers to their stand and masterclasses.

Austrian wines revealed some of the country’s hidden treasures on their stand and at a masterclass.

The Louis Latour stand was busy at Vinexpo Tokyo.

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New York Wine growers were in a great mood, as New York wines encountered tremendous success with Japanese buyers.

Japanese importers such as Enoteca presented their providers’ wines to Japanese professionals.

Chile is the leading wine supplier in Japan.

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THE VINEXPO ACADEMY

With 28 different tastings, seminars and masterclasses, the Vinexpo Academy offered a rich and diverse programme seducing both, trade and press. Around 2000 visitors attended the Vinexpo Academy.

Vinexpo Tokyo’s Academy brought an unparalleled panel of world class speakers to Japan. No less than 3 Best Sommeliers of the World animated tastings, Shinya Tasaki (Best Sommelier of the World 1995), Paolo Basso (Best Sommelier of the World 2013) and Jon Arvid Rosengren (Best Sommelier of the World 2016).

Highlights of the Vinexpo Academy programme were without a doubt, the tasting of the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux on the first day, and the walk around tasting offering the “Tre Bicchieri selection” of the Italian wine guide Gambero Rosso, on the second day.

Regarding the masterclasses, Austrian Wine ”Off the beaten path”, as well as “a journey in Champagne“ presented by Jon Arvid Rosengren and the Swiss Wine masterclass animated by Paolo Basso attracted the trade.

The Assyrtiko masterclass, the Japan Wine Challenge tasting, the Champagne Lanson seminar, the Riedel comparative glass tastings, and the Generation Riesling seminar were some of the other highpoints of the dense programme.

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Jon Arvid Rosengren Best Sommelier of the World 2016 giving a masterclass on Austrian wines �Off the Beaten Path�

Paolo Basso Best Sommelier of the World 2013 introducing Swiss wines, which are still niche in Japan.

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The Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux tasting delighted Vinexpo Tokyo visitors.

The Tre Bicchieri tasting, organized by Gambero Rosso, attracted the crowds.

Vinexpo Tokyo 2016 was the ideal place for Japan’s big sommeliers meeting that attracted amongst others Shinya Tasaki, Best Sommelier of the World 1995.

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“KAMI NO SHIZUKU” BOOK-SIGNING SESSION

Another great moment of Vinexpo Tokyo was a book-signing session by the world famous authors of wine manga “Kami no Shizuku” Tadashi Agi (Shin Kibayashi and his sister Yuko). The duo dedicated their books to Vinexpo visitors, exhibitors and media, attracting crowds of fans to their table.

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Yuko and Shin Kibayashi, authors of “Kami no Shizuku”.

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WINE DINNERS IN TOKYO

With Vinexpo Tokyo creating a genuine dynamic around wines and spirits in the city, three memorable wine dinners were organized that week in Tokyo.

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ON NOVEMBER 15, the Commanderie du Bontemps Médoc and Graves Sauternes and Barsac invited some 250 selected guests to an elegant black tie dinner celebrating Vinexpo Tokyo. The dinner was paired with Château Latour-Martillac white 2012, Château Talbot 2005, Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2003 and Château Guiraud 2008, and was preceded by a formal induction ceremony.

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To celebrate the end of the exhibition on NOVEMBER 16TH, Gault & Millau and Sunny Side Up presented a selection of the best sakes awarded at the renowned Sake Competition, Japan’s most famous sake awards, the latest edition of which was held in July 2016.

The sakes were paired with a combination of Japanese and French dishes. The Japanese part of the dinner was prepared by Hirohisa Koyama, chef at AOYAGI, the French part of the dinner conceived by Thierry Voisin, chef at Les Saisons at the Imperial Hotel, was prepared by chef Koyama, of Kyobashi Basara.

ON NOVEMBER 14 the organizers of the Japan Wine Challenge invited to a private dinner to celebrate the Vinexpo Tokyo event.

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“Les vins de niche et les vins premiums séduisent les acheteurs japonais.”

“Vinexpo Tokyo : des pays producteurs

méconnus à découvrir”

“Бумаков: Японцы впечатлены качеством и самобытностью

молдавских вин. Благодаря высокому качеству и ярко выраженному

самобытному стилю вина Молдовы были самыми востребованными на

прошедшей в Японии выставке Vinexpo Tokyo — 2016.”

“Bellavista è stata premiata dal Gambero Rosso come “cantina dell’Anno” nell’ambito di Vinexpo Tokyo.”

THE DRINKSBUSINESS, UK

Новости Mail.Ru, Russia

LA DEPECHE.fr, France

ワインな ささやき, Japan

Mon-viti.com, France

MALAYSIA TATLER, Malaysia

IPN, Moldova

NOI MD, Moldova

“Vinexpo Tokyo which took place at the prestigious Prince Park Tower hotel in central

Tokyo this week, has been hailed a success.”

“Vinexpo Tokyo to shine spotlight on lesser-known wine countries.”

“Bumacov: Japonezii sînt impresionaţi

Graţie calităţii înalte şi stilului particular, vinurile Moldovei au

fost luate cu asalt la expoziţia "Vinexpo Tokyo - 2016", care s-a

încheiat în ajun în Japonia.”

“Vinul Moldovei cucerește piața din Japonia. Vinul

Moldovei cucerește piața din Japonia. Vinul Moldovei cucerește noi

piețe de desfacere și devine un produs tot mai cunoscut și solicitat de

către consumatorii de pe continentul asiatic.”

“VPrezența companiilor nipone în Moldova – un barometru al climatului investițional, interviu IPN”

IL SOLE 24 ORE, Italy

“世界最大級のワイン＆スピリッツの展示「Vinexpo」（ヴィネ

クスポ）が、2年ぶりに「Vinexpo Tokyo 2016」と

して日本で開催されま.”

VINEXPO TOKYO MEDIA COVERAGEVinexpo Tokyo was largely covered by the media, not only from Japan, but on an international level. With 129 journalists attending the exhibition media attention was strong.

“ “INTERLIC, Moldova

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