This journey took place during the 7th International Wine Exposition of Helan Mountain’s East Foothill, on 12-15 September 2018.
Regina Vanderlinde participated in the opening of the event, for which the theme was ‘Brand Taste Appreciation’, in the presence of local authorities and of Mr Cao Kailong, Director of the Ningxia Grape Industry Development Bureau.
As part of the event, an exposition of wines from different Chinese regions was also organised: the ‘Belt and Road’ at Yinchuan Exhibition Center. Additionally, this trip provided an opportunity for the President to visit several wineries in the region.
During her visit to China, Regina Vanderlinde met with Mr Hao Linhai, former Vice Party Secretary of the People's Government of Ningxia and former President of the Ningxia association of winegrowers. Mr Hao Linhai was awarded the OIV Merit Award during the 40th World Congress of Vine and Wine in May 2017, in Sofia (Bulgaria).
Viticulture in the Ningxia region has seen a very robust expansion, boosted in particular by local authorities. Wine production is focused upon quality and diversity, with over 180 wineries.
This dynamism follows the model of Chinese vitiviniculture as a whole, which has recorded significant development both in terms of table grape production (the top producing country) and the production and consumption of wine (globally the 8th biggest producer and 5th biggest consumer).