—Special Discussion Held on June 16 at Bordeaux 2015 Conference—
NEW YORK, NY (April 28, 2015)—Wine Spectator magazine, the premier media brand for the wine industry and Vinexpo, which hosts the world’s preeminent wine and spirits exhibitions, have teamed up to host a high-profile panel of experts on Tuesday, June 16 at Vinexpo 2015 in Bordeaux, the five-day exhibition from June 14 to 18. Titled Inside the U.S. Wine Market, the talk will cover ideas on how international wineries can improve—or, alternatively, can begin—their business in America.
Moderated by Wine Spectator executive editor Thomas Matthews, the panel—which takes place from
10:00am to 12:00pm—will be free and open to exhibitors and visitors at Vinexpo, which, at this year’s exhibition, themed Taste the Unexpected, will celebrate the U.S. as its first-ever Country of Honor.
“With the global wine industry bigger than ever, and with the U.S. now number one in wine consumption,
we are thrilled to have this opportunity to offer advice and expertise to the world’s wineries, both established and emerging,” said Marvin R. Shanken, editor and publisher of Wine Spectator.
Panel participants include:
- Annette Alvarez-Peters: Assistant General Merchandise Manager for Beverage Alcohol, Costco
- Mel Dick: President Wine Division/Senior Vice-President, Southern Wine and Spirits of America
- Helen Mackey: Vice-President, Menu Strategy & Innovation, Ruth’s Chris Steak Houses
- Michael Mondavi: Founder, Folio Fine Wine Partners
- Stephen Rust: President, Diageo Reserve and Diageo Chateau & Estate
- David Trone: Owner, Total Wine & More
Topics to be addressed include:
- How does the U.S. “three-tier” wine distribution system work?
- What are the challenges and opportunities facing international wineries in the U.S. wine market?
- What strategies work best to achieve success in U.S. retail stores and restaurants?
- What are the current trends in wine sales in the U.S.?
“We are delighted to welcome Wine Spectator to host this event, which is one of most exciting moments of Vinexpo 2015’s program. As a key partner of the industry, Vinexpo’s goal is to offer all participants the latest insights on the market trends and opportunities for the future,” said Guillaume Deglise, CEO of Vinexpo.
The panel was organized as the result of a new strategic partnership between Vinexpo and Wine Spectator. While Wine Spectator has long been present at Vinexpo, the recent agreement provides Wine Spectator a formal and more prominent role in Bordeaux. As part of the agreement, Wine Spectator has arranged a special tasting presenting wines from companies that own and operate wineries both in the U.S. and abroad, which will take place at Vinexpo on Monday, June 15. Wine Spectator will also partner in Vinexpo Asia-Pacific in Hong Kong and Vinexpo Nippon in Tokyo in 2016.
The Inside the U.S. Wine Market panel is expected to draw 300 attendees, while Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015 is expected to draw nearly 50,000 professional visitors and 2,400 exhibitors from 44 wine-producing countries.
About Wine Spectator
Wine Spectator is the world’s leading authority on wine. Anchored by Wine Spectator magazine, a print publication that reaches more than 3 million readers worldwide, the brand also encompasses the Web’s most comprehensive wine site (WineSpectator.com), mobile platforms, and a series of signature events. Wine Spectator examines the world of wine from the vineyard to the table, and delivers expert reviews of more than 15,000 wines each year. The magazine also runs the Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation, which has raised more than $20 million to support wine and food education and scholarship programs over the last 30 years. Foundation beneficiaries have included the University of California, Davis, Department of Viticulture & Ecology; the Culinary Institute of America; Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration; Sonoma State University’s Wine Business Institute; and Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. Marvin R. Shanken is the founder and chairman of parent company M. Shanken Communications, Inc. whose roster also includes lifestyle publications Cigar Aficionado and Whisky Advocate, and industry journals Shanken Impact Newsletter, Market Watch, and Shanken News Daily.
About Vinexpo
Founded in 1981, Vinexpo has evolved into the world’s leading show for wine and spirits professionals and a partner for the wine and spirits industry worldwide. Vinexpo is held in Bordeaux in odd-numbered years; since 2006, Vinexpo Asia-Pacific has taken place in Hong Kong in even-numbered years and has become the key exhibition of the industry in Asia. Before each exhibition, Vinexpo commissions studies on industry-specific issues and presents the findings in conferences around the world. Since 1999, it has produced a world market study with a five-year outlook, as well as a variety of trend reports. For more information, visit www.vinexpo.com.
