|
October 24, 2009
|
||||
One the occasion of her visit, the wine producer released its Concha Y Toro Gran Reserva. The wine was specifically blended to meet Korean tastes, and was made in close consultation with Keumyang International, a local wine importer. The wine is a 2007 vintage with a fruity aroma that includes hints of lime, pear, apple, red currant and blueberry, according to the makers. “Korea has become a test market for premium wines,” Guilisasti said, also noting that the country’s wine industry has more potential for growth than those in other Asian countries such as Japan. Underscoring the importance of the Korean market, Carmen Wine, another Chilean winery, introduced its newest product to Korea first, prior to its release in other countries. The Korean importer, Lotte Beverages, said the wine maker had given consideration to the Korean palate, which favors fruity aromas and soft tannins. In March, the San Pedro winery also made Korea its first destination, for its 1865 Sauvignon Blanc. “Korea is becoming a very important wine market in Asia,” an industry official said. Koreans are sensitive to taste, he said, so wine producers can test a product here to see if it will succeed elsewhere. Industry experts say that Korea’s profile as a promising wine industry is due to its economy, which has recovered relatively quickly, giving more people the freedom to become wine consumers. The Korean wine industry, which has experienced rapid growth, declined after the global financial crisis. “The economic crisis burst the bubble in the wine industry,” according to Lee Chul-hyung, a representative of importer Winenara. Wine importers and conglomerates that import wine, like Shinsegae Group, started to offer discounts of up to 50 percent. “Many affordable wines have been introduced the past several months,” said Kim Sang-mi from Keumyang International. “This allowed a larger portion of the population to enjoy wine, not just the wealthy.” Kim said that wine sales in Korea had increased about 20 percent in the first half of the year compared with the same period last year. By Lee Eun-joo [angie@joongang.co.kr] |
|
