Over the past months, one particular country has been making quite a splash in the Canadian wine market: Austria. Several events, wine tastings and masterclasses had Canadians B2B wine community fall in love heads over heels with Austrian wines - if they hadn´t been in love already.
Canada is already the second largest export destination for Austrian wine outside of Europe. Whilst the portfolio of Austrian wineries contains some well-known classics in white wine as the Grüner Veltliner or the Riesling, Austria has to offer also exquisite red wines, such as Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, Cabernet and/or Pinot, as well as orange and natural wines.
Whilst more and more Austrian wines can be found in the shelves for consumers to buy in Quebec and Ontario, also professionals have been caught by the wines the country has to offer. In September, die Austrian Wine Marketing Board hosted a “Lunch & Learn Austrian Wine” masterclass for sommeliers in Toronto, moderated by Master Sommelier John Szabo. Over 20 professionals (re)discovered what Austria’s wine market has to offer.
Another milestone in the success story of Austrian wines was the fall event series “Grand Tasting Austria” in Montreal and Toronto, organized by the Austrian Wine Marketing Board in collaboration with Advantage Austria and SOPEXA Canada. 350 guests were part of the Masterclass & Grande Dégustation des vins d'Autriche in the Science Centre Montreal, moderated by Sommelière Isabel Bordeleau. The Montreal event was followed by a Grand Tasting and Masterclass in Toronto, moderated by sommeliers John Szabo and Roman Horvath. Both tastings where accompanied by several side events in local bars.
The next upcoming chance to get a taste of Austrian wines at Raw Wine, the world’s leading fair about natural, organic, and biodynamic wines Toronto on November 16th in Toronto and on November 19th in Montreal. As part of the event, the Austrian Wine Marketing Board is hosting a tasting and masterclass with awarded sommelier Christopher Sealy (TO) / Michelle Bouffard (MTR) and some outstanding natural wines Austria has to offer.
Have we captured your interest in Austrian wines? Do you want to enrich your agency’s portfolio? Are you a restaurant or bar who wants to add a special note to it’s menu? Or do you just want to learn more about Austria and it’s excellent wines? The Austrian Wine Marketing Board and Advantage Austria would be more than happy to get you in touch with the right contacts.
Contact us via toronto@advantageaustria.org or markets@austrianwine.com
