26 Jun 2015
The purpose of this document is to recall and assemble in a single document some important elements of guidance from the OIV activities related to biotechnology in vitiviniculture. This study does not attempt to cover in detail all the issues and facts, but rather to contextualize the overall potential impact of the application of biotechnology in the wine sector. Its purpose is to provide a factual basis for potential discussion. This document has not been submitted to the step Procedure for Examining Resolutions and cannot in any way be treated as an OIV resolution. Only resolutions adopted by the Member States of the OIV have an official character. Different approaches regarding vitiviniculture products derived from modern biotechnology are expressed.
This document includes in particular definitions adopted by Codex Alimentarius and by the Cartagena protocol on biosafety as well as the resolutions adopted by the OIV on this issue.Any approach implemented should be consistent with other texts already adopted by different intergovernmental organisations. Download document
22 Jun 2015
The Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Vassil Groudev, played on the analogy between Thracian gold and the gold that flows in Bulgaria’s cellars, positioning his country among those on which a long history of wine growing has conferred a special magic, a special spirit, and inviting us to discovery in the salons of the OIV, but even more so in the landscapes and vineyards of his country. Hosting this event, the Director-General of the OIV, Jean-Marie Aurand, stressed the importance of Bulgaria’s vine and wine sector, gate of Europe between the Balkans and the Black Sea, with five wine producing regions that offer a wide range of terroirs in which native vine varieties (Gamza, Mavrud, Dimyat, Rubin or Pamid) flourish alongside international varieties developed more recently as part of the restructuring of the wine sector. M. Aurand added that he was delighted with the contribution of Bulgaria’s Executive Agency for Vine and Wine to the work of the OIV and expressed the hope that new initiatives could be developed.
18 Jun 2015
Photo "Marion Dardé Photography"Several major contributors enabled to explore different approaches to this topic. Christophe Riou, Scientific and Development Director of the French Vine and Wine Institute showed what oenologists had done for innovation; Bernard Praz, Director responsible for wine buying at the Grand Chais de France Group, presented their contribution to the development of marques; Hubert de Boüard, co-proprietor of Château Angelus and consultant oenologist, dealt with the enhancement of terroirs and vine varieties which oenologists have done so much to bring about; while Gérard Bertrand, proprietor of the wines that go by that name, spoke of the serenity that comes of the skills, values and the art of living defended by oenologists.
Closing the morning’s proceedings, Yann Juban, Assistant to the Director General of the OIV, traced the evolution of the international definition of the oenologist between 1976 and the definition adopted by the OIV in 2013, from a collaborator ensuring respect for fair practice to an expert able to carry out duties in all fields.Referring to the different phases of the oenologist’s profession, as defined by the OIV, he listed all the different aspects of the work, showing how they correspond to the international view of the oenologist. Innovation, especially in regard to vineyards, “with the aim of adapting the raw material to the demands of […] production and consumer requirements” (phase I of the profession); the marque, formulating “recommendations in the field of marketing on the designation and presentation of the product […] in order to improve the response to the consumer preferences identified” (phase IV); enhancement, “consider the ethical, including potential effects on consumer health, economic, social, environmental and technical aspects and develop proposals for measures in order to adapt production to needs and demands”(phase V) and last but not least, serenity, ensured by means of controls, traceability, quality management, food safety and respect for the environmental balance (phase III).
15 Jun 2015
With more than 150 exhibitors and 200 makes of wine-growing equipment on show from 7 different countries, this exhibition held in the heart of one of China’s premier wine producing regions was a remarkable success.The Director General of the OIV took part in the opening ceremony in the presence of Mr. Cui Bo, Vice Secretary of the Ningxia Committee, Mr. Hao Linhai, Vice Party Secretary of Ningxia People ´s Government and Mrs. Valérie Lobry, Director General of COMEXPOSIUM.In his speech, he stressed the importance of this event in one of the most dynamic wine-growing areas in China. With more than 35,000 ha of areas under vines (including 12,000 ha planted over the past 3 years) and an annual production of 100 million bottles of wine, Ningxia is flaunting its ambition, with the active interest and strong support of the local authorities. The Ningxia Autonomous Region has Observer status in the OIV.Both Mr. Cui Bo and Mr. Hao Linhai, who is, moreover, Chairman of the regional Winegrowers’ Federation, stressed their interest in developing collaboration with the OIV so as to strengthen expertise and continue improving the quality of their wines on the basis of OIV standards. Jean-Marie Aurand also had talks with the Beijing Authorities, resuming the contacts made in 2014 with a view to bringing about closer institutional ties in the future between the Peoples Republic of China and the OIV.
14 Jun 2015
“Wine is also a major sales item and it matters that people should know what it is, and what it is not – thus so much hangs on its correct definition,” said the French President, adding that “this is not only the responsibility of producers; consumers too need to be part of the process, and that is why an intergovernmental organisation was set up in 1924, the Organisation of Vine and Wine, which has its headquarters in France.”
Affirming that he wants “the OIV to be able to play its fullest possible part”, François Hollande noted that the Organisation brings together almost 50 Member States “and does a truly remarkable job.”Addressing the representatives of the world vine and wine sector, the French President concluded: “We must widen the scope of the OIV – it is in our interest to do so – to include big countries like China or the United States.”The 18th Vinexpo brings together in Bordeaux some 2400 exhibitors from 45 countries. This salon, which is among the world’s foremost, strives to encourage international trade in wines and spirits, to foster knowledge of these products and to promote them.Speech by François Hollande at the opening of the Vinexpo Exhibition (OIV Speech from 10’18 to 11’06).
08 Jun 2015
Several Georgian wines produced using the traditional method of winemaking in Qvevris (large clay jars) received an award. Jean-Marie Aurand met with the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Otar Danelia. The Minister highlighted the importance that his country attached to his presence at the OIV and indicated that he wished to develop collaboration with the Organisation even further. The Director General also visited the National Wine Agency as well as the Scientific Research Center in Jigaura, which has a collection of over 525 native vine varieties grown in Georgia. In addition, he went to Tbilisi University, which has a significant vitiviniculture department, and paid a visit to several vitivinicultural companies near to the capital and in Kakheti.Georgia produces over a million hectolitres of wine per year and exports about 40% of its production. Inseparable from the country's history and culture, Georgian viticulture is demonstrating its ambitions for both tradition and modernity.
05 Jun 2015
This competition, organised by the Deutsche Wein Marketing allowed to taste and evaluate the surprising number of more than 1200 different samples from all around the world.
The Portugal Wine Trophy plays also a prominent role in the international ranking of wine competitions.To ensure the respect of the OIV standards for international wine competitions, this competition had the presence of OIV’s expert commissioner Jean-Claude Ruf: Scientific Coordinator and Head of Unit of Health and Security of the Organisation.
02 Jun 2015
Claudia Quini, the official OIV delegate at this competition that was placed under the patronage of the Organisation, praised the rapid development of the event, which brought together over 2100 wines this year – 25% more than the last one. A total of 35 countries were represented.During the conference, Jean-Marie Aurand gave a presentation on the OIV and its missions, putting its actions in the context of major developments in the global vitivinicultural sector. Although modest, Canada's wine production – mainly situated in the provinces of Ontario, British Colombia and Quebec – has increased steadily in recent years to reach nearly 600,000 hectolitres (hl).Wine consumption currently stands at 4.8 million hl and has seen an average annual growth of 2.5%. Canada is the fourth biggest wine-importing country in terms of value (1.5bn EUR in 2014).
27 May 2015
A member of the World Federation of Major International Wine and Spirits Competitions (VINOFED) and placed under the patronage of the OIV, this competition stands out due to the fact that it showcases one country in each year, and for this 15th anniversary of this competition, the guest of honour was Hungary.On this occasion, Mr Peter Gàl, Deputy State Secretary at the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture and delegate for his country to the OIV, presented the various aspects of the Hungarian vitivinicultural field, its economy and professional structure. Furthermore, the sommelier Fruzsina Nagy emphasised the diversity of wine-growing areas, specific vine varieties and wine varieties produced in Hungary that were made available for discovery during a guided tasting.
20 May 2015
This meeting was a continuation of the visit Jean-Marie Aurand made to Japan last September.On this occasion, the Director General of the OIV presented the Organisation and its missions to the Ambassador. He also expressed his desire for a closer relationship between the OIV and Japan at an institutional level. The OIV hosted the first tasting of Japanese wines, organised by the "Koshu of Japan", in 2012.Jean-Marie Aurand recalled the OIV's availability for a repeat of this type of event.
Japan has a long-standing viticultural tradition. Its production is based particularly on varieties such as Koshu or Muscat Bailey (which produce wines that express the terroirs' characteristics with elegance and refinement) and on the establishment of geographical indications.In addition, wine consumption in Japan has seen steady and sustained growth. It reached nearly 3.5 mhl in 2014.