Brazilan Wineries Celebrate
The Success In Their First Time At Vinexpo

Apart from the feeling of satisfaction for the excellent receptivity of the Brazilian wines, all six wineries of Project Wines from Brazil - which took part for the first time at Vinexpo, between 21st and 25th June, in Bordeaux, France - brought back in their luggage to Brazil the certainty that their products are, once and for all, consolidating their position in the world market. According to Andreia Gentilini Milan, Trade Promotion manager of the Project, "it was an excellent opportunity to conquer new markets and to reinforce Brazil's image of a producer of top quality wine".

Aware of the difficult barriers to enter the European market, the representatives for all six wineries were very satisfied with the curiosity and enthusiasm shown by the visitors to the Wines from Brazil stand . "It is indispensable to take part at Vinexpo : it is the showcase for the world of wine " said Ademir Brandelli, of Vinhos Don Laurindo. "This is the first important step ", summed up Brandelli. And added: "They were all very impressed with the quality of our wine" . Among the new countries who showed interest in Don Laurindo's wines were Bulgaria, China, Canada and Belgium.

Like Don Laurindo, the other wineries had also established two objectives for the fair in Bordeaux: reinforce their image and make new contacts. And they fulfilled both. "I am really very satisfied on both accounts" pointed out Mauricio Salton, of Vinícola Salton. Even though the international market is very slow, especially in the United States, Salton expects a growth of between 10% and 15% in their exports in 2009. His optimism is based on the positive receptivity of the clients from new markets as Spain, Japan, India and China.

For Juciane Casagrande, responsible for the export department of Casa Valduga, the Wines from Brazil success at Vinexpo was due to the fact that the market is looking for new and good quality products. "In this financial crisis we are very well positioned as we have both", explained Casagrande. For 2009, Casa Valduga projects a growth of 50% in its exports, which represents a total volume of 120 thousand litres. The important markets for this winery are Holland, England and Germany and, at Vinexpo, they met with new contacts from Angola and other countries.

Lidio Carraro winery was one of the most enthusiastic with the results of the fair. "It was better than our expectations", said Patricia Carraro. Her winery plans to continue exporting their premium products. Nowadays, Lidio Carraro exports to six countries but intends to extend that number to nine after the promising contacts with Canada, Belgium and Luxembourg.

Extremely satisfied with the good receptivity of his products was Winifried de Bernard du Breil, of the Miolo Wine Group. "As our first participation, the acceptance of our products was exceptional ", he said. One of the most appreciated wines in their stand was Rar 2005, gold medal at the latest Challenge International du Vin. This winery also managed to open up its horizons to Africa as potential clients in Angola and Gabon showed strong interest. They export 30% of their total production but intend to increase it to 50% in the short term.

The mixture of Portuguese know-how and the Brazilian touch was the main attraction of Rio Sol (Vinibrasil), according to Alexandra Adler, its representative at Vinexpo. Rio Sol was created in 2002 at Vale do Rio São Francisco (the Valley of the Sao Francisco river) by the Portuguese winery Dão Sul. " Vinexpo has placed us in contact with new markets, as Belgium, for instance", said Adler. For her, the main markets are Europe and United States. "This fair was very important for our businesses. We will, no doubt, be back next time", she promised. And, surely, they will be accompanied by the other Brazilian wineries, equally satisfied with the extraordinary success obtained in Bordeaux.

RESULTS ACHIEVED BY WINES FROM BRAZIL AT VINEXPO:

Contacts made: 700
Deals closed during the fair: US$ 1,000,000.00 (one million US dollars)
Deals with: United Kingdom, France and Italy
Origin of contacts made: United States, Caribbean, Japan, Canada, Russia, Denmark, India, Bolivia, Ireland, Slovenia, Mexico, China, Slovakia, Luxembourg, Singapore, Bulgaria, France, South Korea, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Chile, Greece, Italy, Dominican Republic, United Kingdom, Sweden, Bolivia, Japan, Uruguay, Lebanon.
Estimate of deals to be done in the next 12 months as a result of contacts made at Vinexpo: US$ 2,350,000.00