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The 2010 edition of the London International Wine Fair, besides commemorating the 30th anniversary of its creation, was surrounded by difficulties. The ashes of the Eyjafyallayokull volcano and airline crew strikes made more difficult than ever the arrival to the British capital. However, the good organization and the English order made these problems barely noticeable: all the delegations arrive in time, the stands were ready, the events were held on time and the visitors did not miss the appointment.
Official information says that 13,700 visitors attended, and the catalog scored 9700 labels from 31 countries.
Some of the Uruguayan wineries expressed through their representatives a brief comment on the results.
The Exports Manager of Grupo Traversa, Diego Pomi, said: "The crisis still feels stronger in the United Kingdom rather than in the rest of Europe. Prowein was much better. While we notice a slight improvement over the 2009 edition in terms of quantity and quality of the public, this fair goes on turning less international each time". While Diego Pérez Forestier, representing Establecimiento Juanicó, expressed: "The result was positive as it improved slightly compared to last year, but the fair is shrinking, with fewer exhibitors".
On its part, Marcelo Irurtia, from Establecimientos Dante Irurtia, pointed out: "The number of contacts was good, the quality of the public was good, mainly there were more contacts with importers". And Javier Carrau from Bodegas Carrau, said: "It was a flattish fair, with little presence of the rest of Europe, Uruguay is re-entering the market, there is an increased interest of sommeliers and retailers, but importers do not show enthusiasm".
Juan Andres Marichal stated: "There was a higher interest in the Uruguayan wines, more people interested and more effective contacts. The public was mostly British or American, not much from the rest of Europe, like in previous years." And Elizabeth Ariano said: "There was less public and exhibitors, less deployment in the stands in general and fewer visitors from Eastern Europe."
Fabiana Bracco, Exports Manager at César Pisano e Hijos, ascertained that "Crisis was felt, there were less visitors, particularly from the gastronomic area which is the target where we focus our sales. Besides this, this fair took place simultaneously with another one in China, therefore many Asian clients did not come at all."
Reinaldo De Lucca basically agreed that there were fewer exhibitors than in previous editions, and that the fair is becoming more British and less international.
In general, those interviewed coincided in highlighting the quality of the public who visited the stand of Wines of Uruguay, and also agreed to thank the presence of some importers who pointed out to the sales people from the wineries which were the most interesting potential clients. The 2010 edition closes with better prospects of making good business.
The next edition of the London International Wine Fair will be held from May 17 to 19, 2011, again in Excel.
Bodegas del Uruguay appreciates the invaluable contribution of Carla Bertellotti from Wines of Uruguay UK for the material in this article.
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