The Australia Trade Tasting returned to London and Edinburgh this week for the largest and most diverse tasting of Australian wine in the United Kingdom (UK).
Some 750 wines from 200 wineries were showcased to more than 600 UK wine trade, and visiting trade from Europe, across two days of tastings at The Royal Horticultural Halls in London and The Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh.
Running for more than 30 years, the event is a firm fixture in the UK trade calendar connecting Australian wine producers and importers with in-market buyers, distributors, on-trade, sommeliers, media and educators to gain new business leads, secure listings, generate sales and increase their in-market presence.
Wine Australia CEO Dr Martin Cole said, "The UK is a key market for Australian wine and we're fortunate to have a long-standing event in the Australia Trade Tasting to build relationships and create new sales opportunities for our producers.
"While broad economic challenges have taken their toll on wine sales in the UK in recent years, in the year ended December 2023, volume of our wine exports to the UK rose for the first time since mid-2021 and Australia remains the number one source of wine in the UK off-trade market", said Dr Cole.
Highlights of this year's event included:
- 56 exhibitor tables at the London tasting and a free-pour area for wineries seeking distribution
- 27 exhibitor tables and 2 masterclasses at the Edinburgh tasting (the first tasting in Edinburgh since 2020), followed by a consumer tasting in the evening
- 750 wines from over 45 regions showcased across the two cities
- 47 grape varieties, including Assyrtiko, Barbera, Kerner, Marsanne, Nebbiolo, Saperavi, Tempranillo and Vermentino
- sparkling wines – from Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia, Pét Nat to Sparkling Shiraz
- alternative wines and new launches including low and no alcohol wines and wine in cans
- certified organic wines – from producers such as Angove Family Winemakers, Cullen, d'Arenberg, Grosset and Mount Horrocks
- wineries seeking distribution in the UK – 18 wineries in London and 10 in Edinburgh
- 'seeking distribution' free-pour area in London – with 86 exciting new wines from wineries that aren't in market, and
- 30 visiting Australian winemakers, winery owners and principals pouring their wines (a list of wines and participating wineries and importers can be found in the London tasting booklet and Edinburgh tasting booklet).
This is what people had to say about the Australia Trade Tasting:
Rebecca Hull MW, Buyer, Waitrose (UK)
"A first-class event, showcasing the diversity of Australia and enabling me to catch up with so many Aussies under one roof. I tasted great wines from old friends and current suppliers and had some very useful introductions with potential new partners."
Jonas Röjerman MW, Managing Director, BT Wine Service (Sweden)
"I just love to come over from Sweden for the ATT in London. Well organised, basically all the usual suspects are there with a good mix of newbies. A good one-day overview of Australia, and there is always something new to find and learn. This year I especially enjoyed the special tasting of 'Chardonnay Premier League'."
Oz Clarke OBE, Writer, Presenter and Broadcaster (UK)
"The classics were shining – the Semillon and Riesling were even better than I remember – and particularly exciting is the emergence – or re-emergence – of grapes like Grenache and Dolcetto which were juicy, mouthwatering and thrilling."
Nina Caplan, Drinks Editor, Times Luxx (UK)
"The tasting was a great opportunity to discover new talents – I made some fantastic discoveries and talked to some really interesting people. The Grenaches were a highlight – it was clear that there is more and more great Grenache coming out of Australia."
Ed Carr, Chief Winemaker, House of Arras (Exhibitor)
"It was a fantastic event for us – excellent quality visitors, great meetings and a buzzing vibe in the room. Conversations with buyers were incredibly positive and we look forward to working with new partners."
Marcus Parry, Senior Brand Manager, Fells (Exhibitor)
"A busy tasting with a really nice mix of guests. We picked up quite a few leads for premium wines among the on-trade and independent retail."
Caroline Palma, Business Development Manager – On Trade, Pol Roger Portfolio (Exhibitor)
"The Australia Trade Tasting is one of the best trade body events in London, and this year's was very well-organised and lively with a great attendance. We were delighted to see the enthusiasm for our wines from Voyager Estate and Mulline Vintners."
Looking ahead to future events, Wine Australia will host a stand at Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris in February, before returning to ProWein in Düsseldorf in March 2024.
