Australian Wine Connect, a virtual exhibition showcasing local wines to retailers and wholesalers around the world, will be launched later this month.
With travel and trade exhibitions cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, organsation Wine Australia has pivoted online to provide B2B business-matching services for retailers, importers and the on-trade in Asia, the US, Canada, the UK and other markets.
More than 230 exhibitors have registered and will promote more than 1900 wines for a whole year. Visitors to the site can access a Discover section where they can explore different Australian wines and wineries from 65 regions, and by style or variety.
“Australian Wine Connect has been designed to generate powerful commercial outcomes for the global wine community,” said Wine Australia CEO Andreas Clark. “This dynamic approach will no doubt foster hundreds of lasting relationships between Australian wine producers and the international wine trade.”
Wine and liquor writer Mike Bennie, will host a series of conversations with local winemakers and lead a preview of the Australian Wine Connect’s features and activities. The Conversations section of the site will host a series of live gatherings, such as quarterly keynote panel discussions by global experts on the future of the liquor industry. There is also a monthly discussion on wine varieties and virtual tastings for individual markets worldwide.
A global comparative Cabernet tasting on May 12 will feature panel discussions and there will be more localised tastings.
