Chilean President Michelle Bachelet Toasts
the Success of Chilean Wine in the United Kingdom |
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4 April 2008
Her Excellency Michelle Bachelet, the President of Chile, was a guest of Wines of Chile in London’s prestigious Vintners’ Hall on April 3rd 2008.
The occasion was to celebrate the UK’s position as the leading export market for Chilean wine—sales in 2007 exceeded 136 million bottles worth over US$ 230 million in export value.
The President was greeted at the event by Wines of Chile’s UK Director Michael Cox who said in welcoming her that
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“wine must surely be Chile’s finest ambassador— when British wine drinkers see the words Wine of Chile on the label they associate that country with quality, reliability, naturalness, and discovery”. He praised the “dedication, pragmatism and confidence that the Chilean wineries were showing in these challenging times for exporters”.
In her speech in response, President Bachelet impressed the audience of British wine buyers, importers, and wine journalists with her fluent command of English. She praised the progress Chilean wine had made in the competitive UK market and the fact that Chile’s premium quality wines were at their highest ever level of sales. Over the last 5 years exports to the UK have grown by 80% and Chile now has an 8% share in the British wine market. She concluded by quoting from “Ode to Wine” written by Chile’s most famous poet Pablo Neruda.
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After the speeches, the President met and talked to most of the 150 guests that included buyers from Tesco, Sainsbury, and Threshers, and journalists Oz Clarke and Peter Richards, as well as independent wine merchants and restaurateurs. Many guests remarked on how pleased they were to meet such a charismatic and knowledgeable Head of State, and how lucky Chile was to have such a leader who supported the wine trade.
Also present in the Presidential party accompanying the President on her brief visit to England was Vinos de Chile’s President René Merino, who thanked Viña La Rosa and Viña Falernia for the donation of their 5th AWoCA |
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Trophy winning wines for the guests to enjoy. Additionally Miguel Torres had sent magnums of their Pinot Noir Chardonnay sparkling wine to help the guests toast Chile’s UK successes.
The Vintners Hall was chosen as the venue for the event as it is the ‘spiritual home’ of the British Wine trade. The Vintners Company—an ancient ‘Livery’ company—was given its first Royal Charter to trade in wine in the year 1364. The Hall was rebuilt after the Great Fire of London in 1666, and is one of London’s finest buildings. Wines of Chile’s UK Director Michael Cox is on the Court of The Vintners’ Company and he can be seen wearing his special court medal when greeting President Bachelet at the entrance to the Hall.
Earlier in the day, the President was invited to lunch at London’s Mansion House as the guest of the Lord Mayor of London at which Cono Sur Viognier and Montes Cabernet / Carmenère were served.
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For more information contact
Wines of Chile UK
Michael@winesofchile.org.uk |
Watch Drinks Business TV Video of Interview with the President:
Click here: 
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