Skip Global Navigation to Main Content
Skip Breadcrumb Navigation
Press Release

U.S. Wine Summit Reception to Select Best American Wines for Year-End Parties

PR0870E | Date: 2008-10-31

The Agricultural Trade Office (ATO) of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and The Importers and Exporters Association of Taipei (IEAT) will jointly host a "US Wine Summit Reception" from 7:00-9:00 pm on November 7 at The Fullon Hotel Taipei (No. 266, Sec. 1, Jian Kuo S. Rd).  The goal of the reception is to invite executives of Taiwan companies to taste the wide diversity of US wines and to place corporate orders at promotional prices before the peak season of year-end parties and gift giving.  On October 31st in the same venue, the ATO will hold a "Pre-tasting Press Conference" in a panel discussion format from 1:00-3:30 pm for journalists to illustrate some of the wines that will be featured at the reception.  The ATO has invited a local wine specialist, Vivien Chen, to be the facilitator for the October 31st "Pre-tasting Press Conference," along with representatives from eight wine importers including Allen Wine & Spirits, Atherton, Bright Time, Chateau Wine & Spirit, Chateau Harvest, Eurowill, Mayfull, and Titlist.  Each representative will give a short presentation on their representative wines.

"The US Wine Summit Reception" on November 7th will be co-sponsored by the same eight wine importers, who will provide a promotional wine list and samples.  The guests will sample more than twenty-four fine wines from more than eighteen wineries, representing of California, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.  The renowned wine specialist, Vivien Chen, will give a presentation on practical wine selection for different business occasions.  The Secretary General of the IEAT, Jack Huang, said this about the event, "Since our business executives are such busy people, this reception will provide them with a great opportunity to take a break and have some fun!  They can also bring along procurement staff to taste the wine and make purchases with special discounts."

The United States is the fourth largest wine-producing country in the world.  US wine production reached 637 million gallons in 2007.  In 2007, US wine exports to Taiwan amounted to approximately 2.6 million liters, about 3.5 million 750-ml bottles, which, if stacked in 12-bottle cases, is nearly 173 times higher than Taipei 101 tower.  When it comes to US wine, Taiwan consumers may feel most familiar with Californian wine.  Indeed, California accounts for 90% of US wine production, taking advantage of its unique climate and geography in addition to its 200-year long history of winemaking.  Besides California, 41 US other states produce wines.  Credit for this goes to a group of pioneers who have aggressively looked for new land and cultivated numerous fine grape varietals brought in from Europe.  At the reception, guests will have the opportunity to sample wines from many varietals, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Semillon, Petit Syrah, Riesling, Zinfandel and Malbec, as well as "Symphony."

Both events, "The US Wine Summit: Pre-tasting Press Conference" on Oct. 31st and "The US Wine Summit Reception" on Nov. 7th are by invitation only.  Journalists who would like to attend, please contact us via email or fax to reserve a seat.  For more information, please contact ATO marketing specialist, Katherine Lee.

TEL:(02)2705-6536 Ext: 245;FAX:(02)2706-4885

Email:katherine.lee@fas.usda.gov ;Web Site:www.usfoodtaiwan.org

Top 10 Wineries by State (2007)

Rank

State

Number of Wineries

1

California

2,025

2

Washington

451

3

Oregon

295

4

New York

239

5

Virginia 

140

6

Texas

136

7

Pennsylvania

115

8

Michigan

112

9

Ohio

108

10

Missouri

86