INTERNATIONAL PERSONALITIES PLAY A KEY ROLE AT FINE WINE & SPIRITS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

01 Aug 2006

Two of the wine world’s great personalities, San Francisco-based retailer Chuck Hayward and New Zealand’s Bob Campbell MW, will be presenting educational lectures and tastings at the Fine Wine & Spirits Show this year.

They are the first international guests in the history of the liquor industry trade event that will be held from 11-14th September at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.

James Laing, Exhibition Director, says that there will be a real push in education and entertainment at this year’s Fine Wine & Spirits Show.

“Our aim is to maximise what visitors and exhibitors take away from Fine Wine & Spirits, whether it be new products, new relationships or new knowledge. As the slogan says, we want to give the trade fresh ideas and a new edge to their business,” James said.

“It’s exciting to have such a wealth of talent on board. Bob and Chuck will give their overseas market perspective of the industry that will add a lot of weight to our LiquidTalk seminars.”

Chuck Hayward is a leading American retail and restaurant expert who has a great passion for Australian and New Zealand wines. As one of the iconic retailers in the USA, Chuck is informed on both the on and off trade. He’s a thought provoking, unique character with a career that spans from punk DJ and librarian to wine writer, judge and buyer for the Jug Shop, San Francisco’s largest independent wine and spirits retailer.

Bob Campbell MW, New Zealand’s most widely read wine industry wit. Bob’s jovial but incisive style of understanding wine is legendary and over 20,000 people have attended his wine diploma courses, which he teaches throughout New Zealand, Asia and Europe.

LiquidTalk Seminars include:

Monday 11 September

Session 1: 11am

Understanding The American Wine business – Chuck’s view of the wine world with advice (on any one wine) particularly for exporters to this huge but complicated US market

Session 2: 1.00pm

International Pinot Noir Perspective with Bob Campbell MW and Chuck Hayward

Session 3: 3.00pm

Australian Sommeliers Association members only lecture

Part 1: What works in the USA?

Part 2: How can small producers help to increase wine sales within the on and off-premise sectors? What Australia can learn from the US or what not to learn!

Presented by Chuck Hayward

Tuesday 12 September

Sessions 1 & 2 will be repeated at 2pm & 4pm respectively

Wednesday 13 September

International Shiraz/Syrah Perspective with Bob Campbell MW

Thursday 14 September

International Sauvignon Blanc Perspective with Bob Campbell MW

Entry is FREE provided you register at www.wineandspirits.com.au before September 5. Tickets on the day are $30.

Fine Wine & Spirits 2006, Melbourne Exhibition Centre, 11-14 September 2006

Monday 11 September 10 am – 5 pm

Tuesday 12 September 12 pm – 9pm

Wednesday 13 September 10 am – 5 pm

Thursday 14 September 10 am – 5pm

For further Fine Wine & Spirits information or images please contact Camilla Caldwell, WineStream on 02 9439 1633 or ccaldwell@winestream.com.au

Background Information

The Fine Wine & Spirits Show is now in its third year and is Australia’s only true international wine, beer & spirits exhibition. Located in Sydney every other year, it is staged alongside Fine Food and Hotel Australia - the country’s most extensive food and hospitality event - making it the largest trade only event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

Fine Food will be the largest gathering of international food suppliers ever assembled in Australia. Around 200 overseas companies will join the 700 local exhibitors to create an extraordinary showcase of what is new and exciting in the world of food, rivalling some of the biggest food shows around the world.

It includes the crème de la crème of the Dairy World, Bakery World, Drinks World, Confectionery World, AACS Convenience World, Natural Products and of course the freshest ideas of the Meat & Seafood World.

Hotel Australia is the definitive event for the restaurant, hotel and motel industry. It will feature the latest foodservice and hospitality ideas with dedicated areas for Accommodation, Bakery, Catering Equipment and Packaging.

For further information please go to www.finefoodexpo.com.au