Vinexpo ASIA: a must-visit event for Asia-Pacific

Vinexpo Asia 2024 in Hong Kong closed on May 30 after welcoming over 14,000 visitors from 60 countries eager to re-establish one-to-one relationships with their peers in the industry. The businessmatching service facilitated deals between buyers and exhibitors through the online platform, with over 4,200 pre-booked meetings.

With a schedule of more than 50 events from seminars and talk shows to wine tasting masterclasses and networking events, the event created a global rendezvous for business meetings and showcased over 1,000 wine and spirits producers from 35 countries. Over 30 per cent of the exhibitors were from France, reflecting the importance of French wines in the Asia market. The Australian wine industry also made a huge showing with 85 wineries.

“Vinexpo Asia returned to Hong Kong after 26 years and marks the resumption of the global wine industry. Through the event, we can see the potential of key markets in India, Southeast Asia, and China,” said Dane Cheng, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

In the opening address, Vinexposium CEO Rodolphe Lameyse highlighted some of the many challenges the industry is currently facing, and observed a change in mindset among wine and spirits producers towards a more proactive marketing strategy, moving from a “pull” to a “push” approach.

“The event has been buzzing with the sound of new contacts and discoveries being made, along with the renewal of lasting partnerships and friendships which are the backbone of our industry,” Lameyse said.

Nimmi Malhotra, a wine and drinks trader based in Singapore added, “Asia is the future of wine, with scores of emerging markets brimming with untapped wine drinkers. Countries like Thailand have lowered the barrier to entry following a massive drop in taxes while South Korea is voraciously consuming reds, and Vietnam is turning to wine as their social drink of choice. The producers are increasingly taking note, and I expect more ground activities in our region than ever before.”

According to the World Health Organization, Vietnam will be the biggest consumer of alcohol in general per capita in Asia next year, with 91.5 per cent of its intake being beer, 7.7 per cent spirits, and 0.8 per cent of wine.

In Asia, China is a highly strategic market for exhibitors, with 19 per cent growth in wine and spirits expected by 2027, according to the IWSR. China was the buzz word of the event, with producers and buyers eager to find out about the fast-changing consumption trends in the world’s biggest consumer market.

Along with a wide variety of traditional wine brands from France, Italy, Australia, the US, Chile, South Africa, and Spain, Vinexpo Asia 2024 marked an ideal opportunity to meet representatives of new wineries with various new and unique choices from Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and China, among others.

At the event, visitors also had the chance to taste and chat with leaders of independent spirit startups about their inception, distribution, and attracting investment.

Held in Singapore and Hong Kong in alternating years, Vinexpo Asia will return to the former in 2025 on May 27-30.

Wine world in search of fresh range The wine industry faces numerous challenges, such as evolving consumer preferences. Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Vinexposium, spoke with VIR’s Nhat Ha about his experiences promoting the wine industry worldwide and targeting potential new markets.

Hong Kong toasts return of Vinexpo Asia Vinexpo Asia, the region’s leading international wine and spirits trade exhibition, opened to much celebration at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre this week.