World’s wineries arrive in Seoul with new flavors : The growing Korean market is an exciting place for winemakers
Italian wineries pour their wines for local wine drinkers at Italian wine magazine Gambero Rosso’s Seoul event to celebrate its 30th anniversary of the magazine’s establishment. [WINE21.COM]
After wrapping up the busy harvest season which takes place from early September to late October, winery owners or marketing managers usually make their way to their major markets to talk about the weather conditions at their vineyards over the past months and their expectations of the wine made with the season’s new harvest. They also come to introduce their newly released bottles made with grapes harvested one or two years ago, or special editions they soon plan to release. Wineries from many different major wine producing countries, such as Italy, France, the United States and Chile are finding their way to Korea.
A French wine collector and a distributor came to meet with local wine experts Friday. Collector Alain Corcia brought wines produced in Burgundy, France, and held a seminar to explain the characteristics of the wines he thinks are worth tasting at a local institute, WSA Wine and Spirit Academy, southern Seoul.
While a seminar is a more intimate and intensive event to show wines, wineries get together under a bigger union to approach a larger group of people at once. Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux, a union of premium French Wine makers, also brought wines from the 56 wineries that are allowed to put “Grand Cru” on their label to show their premium status two weeks ago. Owners, CEOs or marketing managers of each winery made their way to introduce wines made with grapes harvested in 2013, as they are put on sale after aging for about two years.
“Many of the officials from French wineries have shown delight that many young wine aficionados participated in the events, and that makes the future for Korea’s wine market bright,” said Sopexa, the agency that organized the event with the union, in a release, adding that about 1,000 people came for the three-hour event.
Sopexa also held a tasting of premium Chilean wine Friday in a more intimate setting with officials from Chilean wineries, so locals could get first-hand explanations of the products.
Italian wineries also don’t want to miss a chance to meet with local wine experts and consumers. Grandi Marchi, an association of some of the top family-owned wineries in Italy, made a visit to Korea to introduce its wines. It not only held a tasting event, but also had a seminar so that wine experts can be educated better with the history and the winemaking style of each and every winery that is a part of the association, including Pio Cesare, Michele Chiarlo, Rivera and Donnafugata.
“These visits from the wineries can help locals get the most up to date information about the wines and also provide a place where wine lovers can share their ideas on the drinks as well,” said Byun Yong-jin, a manager of Wine21.com, an agency that organized events with the Italian association.
Just before the visits of these family-owned wineries, renowned Italian wine magazine Gambero Rosso, which ranks Italian wines, with its highest honor being three wine glasses, has also come to Korea to introduce the country’s fine wine. It invited wineries that have produced wines that have been ranked with three glasses in celebration of the magazine’s 30th anniversary. Some of the wineries not partnered with a local Korean importer were also actively looking for ways to distribute their wines in Korea at the event.
Robert Mondavi winery, one of the most well-known wineries from California, brought its special edition called Maestro, which was released to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the winery’s establishment. The wine, made with grapes harvested in 2013, used almost 60 percent merlot, different from the winery’s original style that uses more cabernet sauvignon.
Mark de Vere, who holds a prestigious certification of Master of Wine by U.K-based Institute of Masters of Wine, currently works for the Californian winery and said that new styles of wines in the past decade have contributed in making the winery maintain its power to continue to stay strong in the wine market, during his visit to Korea last month.
BY LEE SUN-MIN
[summerlee@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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