Friday, 11 February 2022 15:30

Dubai Expo 2020

Written by  Staff Reporters
Photo by Nick Grobler. Photo by Nick Grobler.

Expo Dubai 2020, delayed a year because of the pandemic, is now open, running until March 2022.

By early January 2022, more than half a million visitors had come to the New Zealand pavillion, located in the sustainability district.

In November, New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) hosted a masterclass and lunch for the region's sommeliers, wine buyers and trade professionals with strong support from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. Drawing on the themes of Dubai Expo 2020, the tasting hosted by Simone Luca Gagliardi (a previous NZW Sommit Programme participant) demonstrated how New Zealand wine has been a leader at the forefront of both sustainability and innovation.

During the masterclass, 10 wines were presented, showcasing seven varieties from six regions across New Zealand, giving the audience a better understanding of the premium quality, sustainability and diversity of the New Zeakand offering.

The wines were carefully matched to the very best New Zealand food from the pavilion's restaurant, Tiaki, considered one of the top five fine dining establishments in the expo, with the menu including Kāpiti cheese platters, whipped Kāpiti Kikorangi blue cheese and roasted beets, seared salmon, and slow-cooked venison.

Guests were also able to experience the New Zealand Pavilion and learn more about how we innovate to care for people and place.

Chris Stroud, NZW Market Manager in Europe and the Middle East, says it was a privilege to use the New Zealand Pavilion for the event, "showcasing the best of New Zealand wine, food and storytelling." He says the masterclass helped broaden the perspective of New Zealand wine among industry leaders in Dubai, "and we hope that will lead to further growth of our wines in the region."

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