Wine Australia brings new wines and new education programme to Helsinki

The Australian Wine Tasting in Helsinki on 16 October will give Finnish drinks trade the opportunity to discover wines, meet new producers and explore Wine Australia’s new education programme.

With more than 300 wines from across 30 regions, guests will taste Australia’s most iconic and unique styles of wines. From regional heroes like Margaret River Chardonnay and Barossa Shiraz to alternative varieties and new-wave styles such as Saperavi, low alcohol Moscato and sparkling Chenin Blanc, the tasting will demonstrate that Australian wines are far from ordinary.

Well-known regions like McLaren Vale, Yarra Valley and Hunter Valley will be on show, as well as lesser known regions for example Pyrenees, Heathcote and Wrattonbully. This year’s Focus Tables present a diverse line-up of wines from Margaret River and New South Wales’ Orange and Riverina.

Some of the exhibiting wineries are recognisable names such as Penfolds, Yering Station, Vasse Felix and Wakefield, showcasing new releases and the latest vintages. A number of wineries however will be ‘discoveries’: 12 producers are not yet in market and seeking distribution.

Producers at the event for the first time include An Approach to Relaxation, Lambert Estate Wines, Singlefile Wines, Rymill Coonawarra and Yelland & Papps.

Educators, importers and distributors are invited to explore Wine Australia’s new educational programme. Launched in January 2019, Australian Wine Discovered provides more than 200 downloadable resources including educator guides, editable presentations, videos, tasting mats and maps. Visit the Australian Wine Discovered area at the tasting to learn about the content and how it can be used, or see www.australianwinediscovered.com

Wine Australia Regional General Manager EMEA, Laura Jewell MW, said Finland was a key market for Australian wine and Wine Australia was delighted to be back in market to run a trade tasting, master class and consumer tasting event.

‘This annual event enables us to challenge perceptions about Australian wine and to demonstrate the quality, diversity and authenticity of Australia’s offering.’

Carla Rza Betts, winemaker at An Approach to Relaxation, who is exhibiting at the event with her husband and winemaking partner Richard said it was their first-time pouring in Helsinki.

‘We can’t wait to introduce everyone to our old vine Grenache. Our tiny 150 plus year-old vineyard has deep sandy soils and is one of the coolest spots in the Barossa Valley. It’s fresh, elegant and super aromatic. Join us for a taste and see for yourself.’

The Australian Wine Tasting takes place at Vanha Ylioppilastalo in Helsinki on 16 October. For more details and registration, please visit https://www.wineaustralia.com/whats-happening/events/nordic-tastings-2019/attend