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).

Boasting an age-old winemaking tradition, the country wishes to boost its vine and wine sector, particularly in the context of the strategic plan for agriculture, developed by President Nursultan Nazarbayev, that aims to position Kazakhstan as a global player in the field of organic production.

As Jean-Marie Aurand pointed out, “After the accession of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Uzbekistan, the addition of Kazakhstan would complete the positioning of central Asia within the viticultural countries of the OIV, demonstrating the revitalization of these traditional wine- and grape-producing areas, as well as the emergence of market demand for quality products that meet international standards.”

Organised by the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture on the theme of ‘new strategies and technologies for the Lebanese wine industry’, the event, held at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), brought together leading companies from the sector united under the Union Vinicole du Liban (Lebanon’s association of wine producers), as well as a number of industry experts.

Speakers from different countries (e.g. France and Italy) offered insights into the latest technical, scientific and economic developments.

The Director General of the OIV, along with his Assistant, took part in the day’s activities. On this occasion, Jean-Marie Aurand emphasised the ‘close and fruitful’ relationship enjoyed with Lebanon since the country became a member of the OIV in 1995.

Vitivinicultural activity in Lebanon has experienced remarkable growth over the last 20 years

As early as 1997, the Union Vinicole du Liban was created on the advice of the OIV. In 2000, Lebanon passed a law relating to wine, on the basis of which the National Institute of Vine and Wine was created in 2013. Over the last six years, and under the dynamic leadership of Director General Louis Lahoud, the relationship between the OIV and Lebanon has grown even stronger.

Mr Aurand also noted the success of the Lebanese Wine Day events, which were held in Paris in 2010 and 2013, in Berlin in 2014, in the United States in 2016 and 2017, and this year in Switzerland. Organised by the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture, this year’s event attracted a large audience of specialists who, over the course of one day, had the opportunity to discover the diversity and quality of Lebanese wine production. He praised the involvement of the Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Louis Lahoud, and the support of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Gebran Bassil.

During his visit, the Director General of the OIV was received by the President of the Lebanese Republic, General Michel Aoun, and by Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who both assured him of their country’s support in the activities of the OIV.

Demonstrating the importance of the vitivinicultural sector in the country, high-level meetings were also held with the Minister of Economy, Mr Raed Khoury (1); the Minister for Justice, Mr Salim Jreissati (2); the Minister for Information, Mr Melhem Riachi (3); and the Minister for Tourism, Mr Avedis Guidanian (4).

Vitivinicultural activity in Lebanon has experienced remarkable growth over the last 20 years; today it has almost 50 wineries whereas 20 years ago it had eight.

The country produces about 80,000 hL of wine a year and exports half of its production. It also promotes native vine varieties such as Obeidy or Merweh in an effort to rediscover the roots of this age-old winemaking tradition.