From 9-11 June, VieVinum, now in its 20th year was a great draw for wine lovers and wine professionals around the world and Vienna’s Hofburg Palace was once again the focus for old and new friends of Austrian wine. We were among the 15,000 participants from nearly 50 countries who met some 550 Austrian winegrowers, as well as viticultural representatives from this year’s guest country Switzerland, at the invitation of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board (AWMB). Held in the splendid setting of Vienna’s Hofburg Palace, this is undoubtedly one of the most highly regarded and well organised fairs with Switzerland providing an additional international flavour.
This year a new record was set for international delegates. A total of 1,150 wine merchants, journalists, sommeliers and restaurateurs responded to the Austrian Wine Marketing Board (AWMB), nearly half of them for the first time. On the occasion, the AWMB provided guests with full-service attention and an excellent support programme. The day before the festival officially got underway, we joined 350 others for the set tasting in flights Great Sauvignon Blancs and Wines of the Pinot Family. Saturdays seminar Austrian Wine Update, presented by AWMB managing director Willi Klinger, was informative and illuminating. The Masters of Wine tasting Best of Old World Pinot Noir Outside of Burgundy, moderated by Anne Krehbiehl MW, Andreas Wickhoff MW, Stephan Reinhardt and Willi Klinger was fully booked in advance so I missed it.
The AWMB press centre and restaurant located in the Austrian National Library provided us a congenial environment to work in as well as relax over refreshments.
Austrian wine’s growing global image. The international delegates who came to Vienna were already familiar with the wines of Austria, which enhanced their experience at the VieVinum fair, making it more worthwhile and rewarding for them as well as gratifying for the exhibiting winegrowers. Many of whom commented on the level of professionalism and interest in Austrian wine shown by the the visitors, which is an indicator of the international recognition achieved by Austrian wine its growing appeal and high profile.
VieVinum, the wine fair, is organised every two years by MAC Hoffmann. Through the tireless marketing efforts of the AWMB since 1998, not only does this festival provide an in depth perspective on Wineland Austria by showcasing the excellent produce of Austria’s growers, but it also offers guests a unique and rich cultural experience.