During a working meeting with the President of the National Institute of Vitiviniculture (INAVI), Mr José Lez Secchi, and members of the board, Mr Aurand gave a presentation on the situation of the vitivinicultural sector and its major developments on a global scale. This presentation was followed by a discussion regarding the position of Uruguayan viticulture within this context and the key issues it faces.
The President of the INAVI confirmed that he wanted to further strengthen Uruguay's presence within the various working groups of the Organisation.
During a meeting with the Minister for Agriculture, agricultural engineer Tabaré Aguerre, the Minister stressed the Government's desire to develop the vitivinicultural sector by promoting the production of quality wines and the image of the Tannat vine variety. The Minister also expressed the hope that Uruguay might host an OIV World Congress of Vine and Wine in the near future.
Finally, Mr Aurand attended the presentation of awards to vitivinicultural companies who took part in "Catas solidarias", an approach based around solidarity with disadvantaged populations.
One of the winners for the year 2014 was Mr Olivier Serra, whose history of law thesis on "Legislators and the vitivinicultural market under the French Third Republic" won him the Grand Prix. The Academy also gave a Prix d'initiative award to the Wine Mosaic organisation for their project, which protects and promotes little-known vine varieties. Mr Jean-Marie Aurand, Director General of the OIV, who was present at this ceremony, congratulated the award winners and highlighted the Amorim Academy's actions in favour of scientific research as well as the Academy's role as an observer of the OIV.
Mr Aurand presented in detail the functions and activities of the OIV and the advantage for consumer countries, in particular, of being involved in the work and the scientific community of the Organisation.
The Korean Ambassador highlighted the increase in wine consumption in his country, noting the growing share of Asian countries in global wine trade. The Director General of the OIV said that the contact he had made in Seoul with the ministries responsible for food and agriculture had led to a constructive dialogue and hoped that the Embassy could be an information relay to Korean Foreign Affairs in order to advance the idea of joining the OIV.
More than 125 lawyers from 20 different countries participated in this meeting in Beaune, Burgundy on the topic of access to wine markets, along with speakers from intergovernmental organisations such as the WTO, the OIV or the EU, professional organisations, lawyers and specialist economists. http://www.aidv.org/2014frbeaune/index.html
Mr Aurand explained how the scientific and technical contribution of the OIV can facilitate the world wine trade, while recalling that its activities are carried out within the framework of other international agreements on intellectual property and trade.
- France has once again become the biggest producer in the world (46.2 mhl), ahead of Italy, which saw a poor harvest (44.4 mhl)
- Spain has returned to an average level of production (37 mhl) after a record year in 2013
- Good level of production in the United States (22.5 mhl) for the 3rd consecutive year
- Significant decline in production in Chile (10 mhl) and in several Eastern European countries
- Record production on New Zealand (3.2 mhl) and high growth in Germany (9.7 mhl)
During the press conference that was held at the headquarters of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine, the Director General of the OIV, Jean-Marie Aurand, presented initial information about world wine production in 2014.
Global wine production, excluding juice and musts, is likely to reach 271 million hectolitres – a decrease of 6% compared with 2013, according to the OIV's early estimates for 2014.
Mr Aurand specified that the 2013 data was revised upwards (287.6 mhl) due to wine made from the must of grapes held in reserve, particularly in Italy and Spain.
With only a few weeks to go until the opening of the World Congress of Vine and Wine, which will be held in Mendoza, Argentina (9-14 November 2014), the Director General of the OIV also emphasised the consolidation of global consumption, which is at this stage estimated at 243 mhl.
Read full Press Release