The international wine business is looking increasingly to organic cultivation and sustainability. In March trade visitors to the leading wines and spirits fair ProWein 2012 will be able to enjoy a comprehensive market overview of topical “green” wines.

German consumers are considered particularly ecologically aware. In Germany “eco wine” has long since departed from its initial niche existence. Renowned producers like Bürklin-Wolf (Pfalz) and Wittmann in Rheinhessen, as well as an increasing number of cooperatives show that ecologically or bio-dynamically produced wines can boast outstanding quality. Organic cultivation is growing constantly; at present some 5,000 hectares are organically certified in Germany. “Organic cultivation now represents an extra benefit that consumers are also prepared to pay for. They associate the term organic with higher quality and wish to contribute here to eco-friendly food production,” explains Ernst Büscher from the German Wine Institute in Mainz. With organic wine boasting a 5% share of total area under cultivation German wine-growers rank highly worldwide alongside their Greek and Italian counterparts. The Austrians boast the highest proportion of organic production (almost 8%).

For the first time German and international sector associations and companies are presenting themselves under the organic wine theme with a joint participation. In Hall 7.1, occupied for the first time, visitors can expect concentrated competence and expertise from the ecological winegrowing sector. The participants include among others: Ecovin, Demeter, Fepeco (Spain), FNIVAB (France), Bioland Rhineland-Palatinate Regional Association (Landesverband Rheinland Pfalz), Naturian, VIVOLOVIN and Peter Riegel.

Commenting on this Ralph Dejas, Managing Director at ECOVIN GmbH, said: “We are delighted at this strong joint presentation of organically produced wines. Ecological wines are playing an increasingly important role on the international wine scene. Visitors to ProWein can now gather comprehensive information at a glance on the innovations offered by this dynamic segment at its new location.”

Sustainability and ecological viticulture are the global trend.
Numerous vintners present sustainably grown ecological products at their stands. Furthermore, the trade journal “WEINWIRTSCHAFT“ offers a concentrated selection of international top wines from this segment in the special show “Ecological and Organic Wines”.

Hall 7.1

In line with its increased market importance the topics of organic wine and sustainability had once again also be prominently represented at ProWein 2011. Some 160 exhibitors from 15 countries provided lasting proof of how excellent ecologically cultivated wines can taste. Altogether, 3.600 exhibitors from 50 nations were present at ProWein 2011. All relevant international winegrowing nations and several international spirits suppliers present their products to trade visitors from retail and gastronomy sector.