Clos LaChance is here at VinExpo, Asia Pacific. It is billed as one of the largest wine trade shows in the world. There are wineries here from all over the globe--both Old World (France, Spain, Germany) and New World (USA, Argentina, Chile).
It is really eye opening to be here. When we are at home in the US, especially on the West Coast, California Wines rule. Most accounts--restaurants and wine shops--tend to be dominated by California Wines. Here it is a totally different world. The Wine Institute of California organizes this trip. We have a great booth. There are about 25 wineries represented here at this particular event (which is not many, unfortunately considering there are a couple thousand wineries in California). But walking around the show floor, France and Spain in particular, they have such a huge presence. VinExpo, being a European run organization, is obviously well supported by the regions closest to home. The booths of some of the French producers are massive...with several bars and meeting rooms within the constraints of the booth.
I guess what I am trying to say is that we feel so big and important when we are on our home turf. But being here, I feel very small. But I think just being here will put us on the International map. We have made some really great contacts, and hope to get a number of importers out of this experience. So far, we have very good leads in China (several regions), South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and more. The most important part of going to trade shows like VinExpo is the follow up. Colleen, Clos LaChance's International Sales Manager, will be spending her 14 hour plane ride home writing up a report on all the people we met, as well as sending off emails to close the deals.
A picture of Colleen and I at our booth.
The Wines of Argentina
