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).
“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).
During this meeting, the Codex Alimentarius Commission adopted several standards, some of which have a direct impact on the international vitivinicultural sector.
With regard to additives in wine (category 14.2.3), the Member States of the Codex Alimentarius approved the inclusion of carbon dioxide among those subject to GMPs, with the following note: “The CO2 content in finished still wine shall not exceed 4000 mg/kg at 20°C”.
Four additives, regarding the "Grape wines" category in particular, were added to the priority list of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee (JECFA) for toxicological assessment. These were, namely, tannins, yeast mannoproteins (INS 455), potassium bisulphite (INS 228) and metatartaric acid (INS 353).
Furthermore, the Commission adopted a number of Maximum Residue Limits for pesticides used in the production of table grapes or dried grapes.
The existing limits for these pesticides, listed below, were revoked and replaced by the following limits:
Note: With regard to MRLs, the OIV Secretariat has put together a list of online links on the website www.oiv.int. The list includes information available concerning maximum residue limits applicable to grapes (table, wine and dried grapes) and to wines (where relevant).
This information is based on:
- notifications from Member Countries, as requested in adopted OIV resolutions,
- notifications made by countries to the WTO,
- other sources: Codex Alimentarius, EU, the USDA MRL database.
The full report of the 38th session of the Codex Alimentarius may be viewed online at http://www.codexalimentarius.org/meetings-reports. The next Codex Alimentarius Commission session will take place from 27 June to 1 July 2016.
The 2015 report concerns the vitivinicultural production potential, surface area under vines, global wine production and consumption, wine export and import volumes, in addition to production of grapes for direct consumption and dried grape production.
In 2014, the world area under vines rose to 7573 kha
Global grape production reached 737 mql in 2014
2014 world wine production (excluding juice & musts) is estimated at 270 mhl
World wine consumption in 2014 is estimated at 240 mhl
With 24 mhl consumed worldwide in 2013, rosé wines represented 10% of the market
2015 World vitivinicultural situation
Mr Nico van Opstal (the Netherlands), President of the Association, specified the importance for the attachés in charge of agricultural issues to better understand international organisations and that it was necessary to develop this type of direct relationship.
Mr Jean-Marie Aurand, who has been assigned to Madrid as an agricultural attaché during his career, emphasised the relay work carried out by the ambassadors in addition to their role in promoting the viticultural realities of their country. He indicated that he wished for this initiative to be updated and expanded.
