During a meeting with the Minister and his departments, and representatives from the Ministry of Economy, the Standards Institute, the Agricultural Research Organisation, the Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute and the Israel Wine Grape Growers Board, Mr Aurand spoke about how the OIV operates and gave a presentation on the key features of the global vitiviniculture industry. At the request of the professional attendees, he also spoke about various aspects associated with consumption and communication in relation to alcoholic drinks, while Mr Yann Juban summarised the progress of the ongoing reforms to the structure of the European wine market.
Mr Shamir spoke about the development of the Israeli vitiviniculture sector, which is currently adapting its standards on the basis of the OIV standards, and the sector's interest in building new markets.
These meetings were complemented by visits to various production sites, including table grape production facilities (Tali Grapes in Lachish) and wineries, such as those at Barkan, Castel, Carmel, Ramot Naftali and Adar.
At the request of the Israeli Minister, a wine presentation will be held at the OIV headquarters on 24 November 2014 to explore the special features of Israeli production.
From Left to Right
Prof. Yoram Kapulnik (Director of the Agricultural Research Organisation), Yann Juban (Assistant to the Director General of the OIV), Ofer Sachs (Director of the Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute), Yair Shamir (Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development ), Jean-Marie Aurand (Director General of the OIV), Zahi Dotan (General Manager of the Israel Wine Grape Growers Board), Yair Shiran (Ministry of Economy, Head of the Industry Authority), Dalia Yarom (Director of the Chemistry Lab – the Standards Institute of Israel)