Prowein chases UK visitors

Published: 23 July, 2008

ProWein, the major German wine and spirits show that is held in Dsseldorf in March, wants to attract more UK visitors.
With 2,773 exhibitors (Vinitaly, 4,064; Vinexpo, 2,500; and London International Wine & Spirits Fair (LIWSF), 1,300), ProWein claims the largest number of Italian and French exhibitors outside of their respective countries' own shows and also showcases the German wine industry with 700 producers exhibiting. The UK remains Germany's number-one export market, bringing in 971,315 hectolitres in 2004, compared to the number-two Netherlands with 380,870hl.

Monika Kissing, of ProWein organiser Messe Dsseldorf, told Harpers: We have a problem with the UK. We are not getting enough visitors. We want more people from the UK.'

ProWein claims 72% of its exhibitors are international, beaten only by the LIWSF at 75%, and 5,475 of its 28,513 visitors are international, of which just 5% are from the UK.

With the dissatisfaction at Vinexpo (although this year's event went some way to make up for the disastrous failure of the air conditioning in sweltering conditions at the 2003 event), many exhibitors have switched focus to ProWein - which is increasingly seen as the show to attend for the Scandinavian, eastern and central European markets - and the LIWSF. There has also been talk among the southern-hemisphere wine-producing countries about launching a roving exhibition in non-Vinexpo years, which would switch between the likes of South Africa, Australia, Chile and Argentina.

ProWein, which takes place 26-28 March, is running two tastings - one billed as Autochthonous and Regional Wines (Anything but Chardonnay), and the other Branded Liqueurs.

The Association of German Prdikat Wine Estates (VDP) will be the largest single exhibitor, with 800 sq m and 150 members showing wines, predominately cask samples, of the 2005 vintage.

Entrance is e20 a day or e40 for three days. Tickets, accreditation and the brochure are, or will be, available online from www.prowein.com

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