After meeting with the President of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, Ms Awilo Ochieng Pernet, Mr Aurand presented the objectives, missions and actions of the OIV, emphasising the common sectors of activity (additives, contaminants, methods of analysis, grapes, etc.) to which the OIV can and should contribute its international expertise to ensure that the specificities of the vitivinicultural sector are addressed within the Codex.
In the presence of Professor Michel Thibier, President of the Committee on General Principles, and of Mr Tom Heilandt, Secretary of the Codex Alimentarius, the Director General of the OIV expressed his satisfaction with this meeting, which enabled many government representatives from non-Member States of the OIV – particularly in Africa and Asia – to discover the OIV's activities and discuss work of common interest that could be developed between the two organisations.
During a meeting with the Secretary of State for Agriculture, José Diogo Albuquerque, the Secretary recalled the importance that his country, as a founding member of the OIV, attached to the work of the Organisation. He also confirmed his desire to maintain the strong presence and involvement of Portuguese experts in the various working groups.
A working meeting organised with representatives of the Scientific and Technical Committee of the OIV National Committee (a body that, within the IVV, liaises between the various players in the vitivinicultural sector and coordinates the standpoints of Portugal with the OIV) allowed for discussion of different topics on the Organisation's work agenda.
The visit to PORVID (the Portuguese Association for Vine Diversity) provided an opportunity for a presentation on work carried out to preserve vine diversity in a country that has a large number of native vine varieties. This work will be presented during the OIV meetings in April.
Finally, while visiting several vineyards that were representative of the diversity of Portuguese viticulture, Jean-Marie Aurand engaged in a number of discussions with sector representatives.
To attend this press conference, journalists are kindly asked to send an email with their name and their professional contact details to press@oiv.int.
Date: Monday 27 April 2015
Time: 11:00 am
Location: International Organisation of Vine and Wine, (OIV), 18 Rue d'Aguesseau, Paris 75008 - Metro station Madeleine or Concorde [see map]
This conference was placed under the patronage of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine with Dr Jean-Claude Ruf, Scientific Coordinator of the OIV, acting as president of the conference, accompanied by Mr Salvador Manjón, Director of SEVI.
A large number of participants from the vitivinicultural sector attended the conference.
This event, placed under the patronage of the OIV and a member of VINOFED (the World Federation of Major International Wine and Spirits Competitions) includes 5 major competitions: Riesling du monde, Pinot Gris du monde, Gewürztraminer du monde, Sylvaner du monde and Pinot Blanc du monde). The previous year, 850 wines from 21 countries were presented.
The OIV President previously participated in the 13th Bacchus Wine International Competition in Madrid, between 20 and 24 March 2015. This competition, placed under the patronage of the OIV, collected nearly 1651 wine samples from 18 countries.
During these international competitions, Claudia Quini assumes the role of OIV’s expert commissioner to ensure the respect of the OIV standards for international wine competitions. Each year, only around thirty international competitions have the OIV’s patronage, which ensures comparable organisation conditions, selection and awards.
