Asian Markets Welcoming Swiss Wine
by swisscham in BUSINESS NEWS
Vaud, a French speaking Canton near Lake Geneva, was the sole focus at a Swiss wine tasting organized by Hong KongÕs Swiss wine importer, Swiss Wine Shop, and its wine trade organization, Office des Vins Vaudois (OVV), this week in Hong Kong. Producing about 25% of the countryÕs total wines, the region is home to a UNESCO site, Lavaux, an area known for its beautiful, terraced vineyards. The majority of its wines are consumed domestically and less than 2% of the wines are exported. Trailing behind Germany and the UK, Asia has slowly emerged on the map after Swiss wines were first exported here a few years back. In Shanghai, the wine seems to be taking off as well. ÒChasselas is the wine that is very fresh, open and you can pair it with any kind of food. You know how people are like in China where they eat everything on the table. ItÕs difficult to do a wine pairing, and Chasselas works very well even with spicy dish,Ó said Philippe Huser, owner of Napa Wine Bar & Kitchen in Bund, which imports about 6,000 bottles of Chasselas to Shanghai. With the whole packaging of UNESCO and Swiss image, the wine became an instant hit, he added.