Nineteen countries will converge in Provence, France for the world's first symposium on the Grenache Grape, between Saturday, 5 June and Sunday, 6 June, 2010, at La Verrière in Le Crestet, high in the mountains of the Rhône Valley, a region noted for its exceptional Grenache grapes. (La Verriere: www.laverriere.com is an exclusive conference venue and home to the newly launched Chêne Bleu wines, www.chenebleu.com. Map It! 84110 Le Crestet http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl)

The Grenache Symposium is presented by local vineyards Chêne Bleu and Domaine de Mourchon (www.domainedemourchon.com). The patron of the event is InterRhône, in conjunction with sponsors including The Wine Academy of Spain (representing Aragon, Campo de Borja, Catalunya/Priorat, Navarra); Wine Australia; Sud De France; Tavel; Vignobles Investissement; Riedel Glassware; Harpers Wine & Spirits, and others.

This G-19 Summit of 100+ top winemakers, critics, merchants and experts will meet to shape the future of Grenache - the most widely planted red grape in the world, and most important in economic terms. Much loved by professionals, it is generally unknown to many consumers. The Symposium will be led by Steven Spurrier, world renowned wine expert and consulting editor of Decanter magazine, and Michel Bettane - the premier French wine critic and co-author of Le Grand Guide des Vins de France.

Experts and producers from around the world (Australia, Austria, Brazil, China, Croatia, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Italy, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, United States, United Kingdom) will for the first time work together and compare notes on wine growing and the challenges faced in existing and emerging markets during this worldwide recession.

This inaugural international Think-Tank format is groundbreaking for the wine world, but event host Nicole Rolet of Chêne Bleu believes it's the most productive format to meet the challenge.

"Many wine professionals love Grenache and feel it's the winemaking world's best kept secret. Everyone knows Pinot, Syrah, Cabernet, Chardonnay - but Grenache is the unsung hero and actually more widely used. The goal is to create a huge international brainstorming session. Delegates meet in small groups by topic and put all their knowledge and ideas together. They present their findings to the press and participants, then contribute to the creation of The Global Guide to Great Grenache."

Recently international media and some of the top winemakers in the world have begun to revisit Grenache - including cover stories in the Wine Spectator and Wall Street Journal and forecasts by wine gurus, Robert Parker and Jancis Robinson.

Limited places are available to attend the event. The €450 entrance fee includes all presentations, tastings and lunches on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 June, as well as the Saturday night Gala Dinner. This is an entirely not-for-profit event. For more information: http://www.grenachesymposium.com/attendance.html.

For further information and media passes, please contact:
Jane Silverman - press.grenachesymposium@gmail.com
Tickets available at www.grenachesymposium.com