At the Country Club Hotel in Lima, 21 Chilean vineyards dazzled Peruvian tastes in an event organized by the Commercial Office of the Embassy of Chile, ProChile. More than 400 Peruvian businessmen including importers and dealers, sommeliers, opinion leaders and wine lovers had the opportunity to enjoy a professional tasting of the best Chilean vineyards, many of which are present in the marketplace.
The Chilean Wine Tour is an event organized by the Directorate for Export Promotion - ProChile to promote Chilean wine in the most important world markets. Chile has successfully positioned itself as the fourth largest wine exporter worldwide and the first of new world countries.
"Initiatives like those developed by ProChile in various countries will always have our support, as wine is par excellence the flagship product of Chile in its export portfolio and, indeed, the product that identifies Chile within the international community," remarked Chilean Ambassador to Peru, Roberto Ibarra.
Ambassador Ibarra added that "this event is very important for our Embassy and for the Chilean Foreign Ministry, as it helps further strengthen the bonds of friendship, integration and cooperation within the context of historical bilateral ties".
Jennyfer Salvo, Assistant Director of Marketing, Communications and Trademarks of ProChile stated that "there is an extraordinary opportunity between Peruvian cuisine and Chilean wine in the context of this event, as this instance gives us the perfect complement to delight Peruvian palates with our wines and conversely, their world renowned cuisine delights our palates."
Among those in attendance were renowned sommelier Miguel Angel Sequeiros from restaurant "La Carreta" who confirmed that "Chile has great wines, with new strains. I am very happy because they are new, amazing high-end wines." "Chile promises much more," he added.
It is worth noting that the growth of wine exports has been supported by ProChile for over 20 years in a strategic alliance with the private sector allowing international placement of wine products.
As for Peru, in 2013 imports from Chile reached 3 million liters, corresponding to more than US$8 million, reaching a share of 44% in volume and 31% in value.
During the first quarter of 2014, Peru's Chilean wine purchases amounted to US$ 1,936,718, ranking as the leading supplier both in value (38% market share) and in volume, with purchases for 778,000 liters (56% of the aggregate).