October 4, 2005

The Wine Exporters and Producers Association of Romania (WEPA) hosted a reception at the Hotel Marriott last evening for three international wine journalists who have come to Romania to tell the world about Romanian wine. For the next five days, the journalists will visit Romanian wineries, sample Romanian wine, tour the countryside, and write a series of articles for international wine publications about Romania. This event is being supported in part by a grant from U.S. Government through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

The three international journalists, Mssrs. Darrel Joseph and Michael Prònay and Ms. Luzia Schrampf, plan to interview wine producers, grape growers, and local tourism officials. They will spend a day in the Prahova Valley before heading overland through Romania’s rich countryside. Their tour will give them the opportunity to taste wines from the country’s best wineries, including Cramele Halewood, Tohani, Carl Reh, and Prince Stirbei – many of which are already known to international wine buyers and connoisseurs.

The journalists write for several international publications that focus on food and wine, including “Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book,” “Wine International, Decanter,” “Wine & Spirit International,” “A La Carte,” and “Der Standard”. The wide circulation of these popular food and wine journals will guarantee an introduction to the high quality of Romanian wines for millions of international wine drinkers.

The journalists’ visit is sponsored by USAID, which is working to increase the international visibility and recognition of Romanian wines in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Rural Development, and with the Wine Exporters Association. USAID supports the industry, recognizing grapes as an alternative crop that can help supplement the income of tens of thousands of small farmers.

Romanian wine is growing in popularity outside of the country. Partnerships with international investors have helped the industry to modernize and tap new markets. The sector also enjoys support from the Romanian Government, which has included wine among its priority export sectors. Positive reviews from the visiting journalists will further enhance the image of Romanian wine.

USAID, now in its 15th year in Romania, has long been an active supporter of the Romanian wine sector. Its support helped create WEPA in 1999, and has assisted in the development of their website (http://www.wineromania.com). Through USAID’s Romania Agribusiness Development Program (RADP), which will run through 2008, the U.S. Government will continue to support WEPA and the Government of Romania in promoting Romanian wines by conducting a series of promotional activities aimed at branding Romanian wine, developing tourism opportunities at Romanian wineries, and opening up new international markets. For instance, in late October Romania will participate in the upcoming Russian International Wine and Spirits Fair through RADP support.

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4 Octombrie 2005

Asociatia Romana a Exportatorilor si Producatorilor de Vinuri (WEPA) a gazduit o receptie in onoarea a trei jurnalisti internationali in domeniul vinurilor care au sosit in Romania pentru a povesti lumii despre vinurile romanesti. In urmatoarele cinci zile, jurnalistii vor vizita cramele noastre, vor degusta vinurile, vor face un tur prin regiunile rurale, si vor scrie o serie de articole despre Romania pentru publicatiile internationale de vinuri. Acest eveniment este subventionat de Guvernul SUA prin Agentia sa de Dezvoltare Internationala, USAID.

Cei trei jurnalisti, Domnii Darrel Joseph si Michael Prònay si Dra. Luiza Schrampf, intentioneaza sa-i intervieveze pe producatorii de vinuri, pe crescatorii de struguri si pe reprezentantii turismului local. Ei isi vor petrece o zi pe Valea Prahovei, inainte de a porni catre regiunile rurale bogate din Romania. Turneul lor le va oferi ocazia de a degusta vinurile celor mai bune crame, inclusiv Cramele Halewood, Tohani, Carl Reh, si Printul Stirbei – multe dintre acestea fiind deja cunoscute cunoscatorilor si cumparatorilor internationali de vinuri.

Jurnalistii scriu pentru cateva publicatii internationale specizalite in gastronomie si vinuri, precum “Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book,” “Wine International Decanter,” “Wine & Spirit International,” “A La Carte,” si “Der Standard”. Circulatia larga a acestor publicatii despre gastronomie si bauturi va garanta promovarea inaltei calitati a vinurilor romanesti in randurile milioanelor de bautori de vinuri din intreaga lume.

Vizita jurnalistilor este sponsorizata de USAID, care, in colaborare cu Ministerul Agriculturii, Padurilor si Dezvoltarii Rurale, si cu Asociatia Exportatorilor de Vinuri, militeaza pentru sporirea vizibilitatii internationale si recunoasterea vinurilor romanesti. USAID sprijina industria viticola si recunoaste in ea o alternativa care poate suplimenta venitul a zeci de mii de mici fermieri.

Popularitatea vinului romanesc creste continuu in afara tarii. Parteneriatul cu investiitorii straini a ajutat industria sa se modernizeze si sa intre pe noi piete. De asemenea, sectorul se bucura de sprijin din partea Guvernului Romaniei, care a inclus vinul printre produsele prioritare de export. Analiza pozitiva din partea jurnalistilor aflati in vizita va duce la cresterea imaginii vinului romanesc.

USAID, care implineste anul acesta 15 ani de cand se afla in Romania, a fost mult timp un suporter activ al sectorului vinurilor romanesti. Sprijinul sau a dus la crearea WEPA in 1999, si la dezvoltarea propriului website (http://www.wineromania.com). Prin programul USAID Romania Agribusiness Development (RADP), care se va desfasura pana in anul 2008, Guvernul Statelor Unite va continua sa sprijine WEPA si Guvernul Romaniei prin promovarea vinurilor romanesti si prin dirijarea unei serii de activitati promotionale menite sa marcheze brandul vinului romanesc, oportunitatile de dezvoltare a turismului prin vizitarea cramelor romanesti, si deschiderea de noi piete internationale. Spre exemplu, la sfarsitul lunii octombrie, Romania va participa la Targul International de Vinuri si Bauturi Spirtoase din Rusia, prin sprijinul RADP.

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