Wines News & People
2009, a Profitable and Promising ProWein
A Jiuwine.com commentary by Daniel Lim.
2009 ProWein in Germany. Images courtesy of Messe Düsseldorf GmbH.
ProWein, a huge and yearly trade fair for the wine and spirits industry was held in the Rhineside Dusseldorf Fair Grounds in Duesseldorf, Germany, from March 29 to 31 2009.
Despite an uncertain economic environment, the show organizers claimed a 5% increase in overall attendance, with traffic numbers boasting some 35,000 people as visitors and exhibitors showed off their enthusiasm in Germany’s largest annual wine show. In the statement, the organizers mentioned there were some 3,180 exhibitors, which included the traditional European wine growing countries like France to other countries from USA, Scandinavia, Switzerland and Slovenia.
Wilhelm Niedergoeker, the general manager and organizer said, “This year’s ProWein exceeded all expectations” with following exhibitor from the German Wine Institute (DWI), Monika Reule stated, “From the German standpoint ProWein 2009 came off very well despite economically strained conditions. The positive response towards German wineries’ offerings led us to believe the German wine industry will not be so acutely affected by the overall economy. It appears as if friends of wine will not abstain from enjoying good wine even in these difficult times.”
Some of the 2009 ProWein key highlights included; a single largest representation of German wines by 800 German wine exhibitors, a red wine tasting showcase looking into as “cool climate” wine regions with a maximum alcohol content cap at 13%, and “Wine’s Best Friends” a program of workshops and tasting dialogues looking at the relationship and pairing of wine and food.
First held in 1993, ProWein has established itself as one of the leading wine exhibition fairs in the wine international market. According to its website, in 2008, it drew 3160 exhibitors from 45 countries, 33,386 visitors from 50 countries and 787 journalists from around the world.
The next ProWein will be held on the dates of 21st to 23rd March 2010. For more information, please visit ProWein.