by Ronald de Groot
As the Dutch economy is growing, wine importers are expecting rising sales in the coming year. In this buoyant mood, the halls were full at the fifth edition of Wine Professional in Amsterdam last week. The event took place in the same building at
the congress centre as the Horecava, but as a separate show. In its five years of existence, Wine Professional has gradually become more, well professional. Most wine importers feel it important to be present, perhaps not for business, but to shake hands and meet important contacts. The real business is done elsewhere. Several special tastings were held, featuring, amongst others, rieslings from Dr. Loosen, vintage ports from Fonseca and older vintages of Cristal from Champagne Roederer.
Although exact figures have not yet been released, the fifth edition was, at least according to the organisers, a success. Not all, though, went as planned. Given the separate location of Wine Professional, many sommeliers and even a number of restaurant owners tended to avoid the Horecava itself, a problem that the organisers will need to solve in the future.
