Wine Summit 2011 – 167 International Top Wine Specialists Seduced by Austrian Wine

Between the 28th and 31st of May, 167 wine journalists, wine critics, select wine traders and sommeliers from 33 countries participated in the AWMB's Wine Summit 2011. During these four days, the specialists participated in one of four wine journeys that they were offered to choose from – Niederösterreich (Lower Austria), Burgenland, Steiermark (Styria) and a general “Newcomer” trip.

The AWMB's purpose for holding the Wine Summit 2011 was to show what is typical as well as special about each wine-growing area and its wines. Of particular importance was the integration of the traditional Austrian kitchen as well as age-old cultural jewels such as Schloss Hof, Schloss Esterhazy, Stift Göttweig and Schloss Stainz.

Along with wine tastings, the wine journeys offered walks through vineyards, in-depth seminars, boat trips on the Danube river and Lake Neusiedl (the Neudsiedlersee), Schnitzel cooking courses and even a small fitness programme.  The Wine Summit 2011 culminated with a brilliant finale – the “Big Austrian Wine Party” - with all of the guests coming together to celebrate, of course, Austrian wines.

Nelson Siu, WINE.Luxe Magazine, Hong Kong, HONG KONG: “I would really want to give a big thanks for your highly organised and really impressive arrangement, and the most informative tour I've never seen before. I should say this is the top top quality event organised in the world. We have to learn from you in Hong Kong and really hope to see your good work in the future!”

Cat Lomax, Direct Wines, Berkshire, GREAT BRITAIN: “The whole visit was incredibly well organized, well run and well thought out. I now have a much greater understanding of Austria and its wine producing regions.”

Samantha Fairgrieve, Liberty Wines, New Covent Garden, GREAT BRITAIN: “It was the most precisely and proficiently wine organised trip I have ever been on. It gave a wonderful overview of a very interesting country for wine.”

Rasmus Holmgård, Mad + Medier, Copenhagen, DENMARK: ”Every time I visit you my craving for more and deeper knowledge of Austrian wine grows exponentially. That, if anything, surely is a definitive proof of your success!”

Demei LI, Food Science Department of Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, CHINA: “It was so great to have such a wonderful trip with you… I will have a wine course lecture and will choose this Austrian Wine Summit as an example of HOW TO ORGANIZE WINE EVENTS.”

Elissaveta Zaharieva, EzWineTalk, Sofia, BULGARIA: “It was a very special journey for me as it gave me the unique opportunity to be part of a range of professional events and relate to distinguished Austrian wine industry leaders and international wine professionals.”

Reva K. Singh, Sommelier India, New Delhi, INDIA: “I have come away with a greater understanding of Austrian Wine and so much else surrounding it. Plus many happy memories! Thank you for all you did to make the trip so enjoyable and a perfect mix of work and play.”

Chuck Byers, Two in a Vineyard, Whitby, CANADA: “I enjoyed the `United Nations Meeting of the Wine Trade´ and am so very happy about the events.”

Attention all wine lovers !  Save the Date for VieVinum, 2.-4 June 2012