Brazil and China expected to become formidable wine players

Brazil, Asia, the UK and US had particularly strong showings at this year's edition of Vinexpo

As the 30th edition of the world's largest wine trade fair comes to a close, the early conclusion is that consumers in Canada, China and Sweden will be seeing more Brazilian wines line store shelves; wine consumption is poised to rise in the UK, the US and Canada; and Asia is set to become a formidable market all-round.

Vinexpo -- held alternate years between Hong Kong and Bordeaux -- wrapped up in the French city Thursday, where organizers say they received 48,000 professionals throughout the five-day trade fair -- three percent more than the last expo there in 2009.

The most visible turnout, however, was the strong Asian presence with a contingent of representatives from China, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and India: one in three international visitors was from Asia, surpassing even their own expectations, said Robert Beynat, director general of the expo.

China and Hong Kong together make up the world's largest volume importer of Bordeaux wines, buying the equivalent of €333 million.

In May, auction house Sotheby's also claimed that more than 70 percent of its total wine sales in 2011 came from Hong Kong auctions alone.

And champagne mogul Moet Hennessey announced that it would be moving into China to produce high-end sparkling wines. The country is already its largest market for cognac.

Meanwhile, consumers in 10 countries around the world including China, Sweden, Belgium and Canada will be able to sample vintages from new Brazilian wineries-- the fifth biggest wine producer of the southern hemisphere.

Mexico and Venezuela will also be importing Brazilian wines for the first time.

Brazilian wines exhibited included many sparkling wines which are characterized as fresh and less alcoholic than their bubbly counterparts.

Wines from this area are steadily gaining fans among high-end restaurants, and are represented on wine menus at some of London's fanciest restaurants including Jamie Oliver's establishment Fifteen, The Savoy and Japanese restaurants Zuma and Roka.

After Asian representatives, Brits, Americans and Canadians also came out in full force, organizers said. US wineries will see 50 of their brands enter foreign markets as well. Currently, 75 percent of what American wineries produce is consumed domestically.

The next Vinexpo will be held in Hong Kong May 29-31.