Inter Oc to present sustainable wine research project at Vinisud

Added: (Thu Feb 04 2010)

Pressbox (Press Release) - Inter Oc, the trade body promoting Pays d’Oc PGI wines, from the southern French region of Languedoc-Roussillon, will hold a conference on the sustainable-development research programme that it is undertaking in partnership with Montpellier 2 University at the Vinisud exhibition on 23 February 2010 at 2.30pm, followed by a tasting on the Inter Oc stand (Hall 1, Stand A 70). Vinisud, the international trade fair for Mediterranean wines and spirits, will take place in Montpellier from 22 to 24 February 2010.

Together with the Montpellier 2 University, Inter Oc is currently undertaking a sustainable-development research project. Six Pays d’Oc companies that are involved in sustainable development are also taking part in the project. Inter Oc will explain the framework of the research programme at its conference during Vinisud 2010, which will take place in Montpellier (France) in February 2010. Three of the pilot companies participating in the research project will also present their experiences.

The research project has been undertaken with the support of Inter Oc, a professional body for the wine industry, while simultaneously drawing on the international expertise of researchers at Montpellier University. A steering committee made up of experts in both wine and sustainable development has also been set up.

The research will assess the progress of vineyards worldwide from the standpoint of sustainable development. It will also analyse consumers’ buying habits, with particular focus on attitudes to sustainability, and their impact on international markets. The research programme will evaluate consumer awareness of sustainable development in major wine-drinking countries and the premium consumers are prepared to pay for wines produced along sustainable-development principles. Research will be undertaken to examine the current and future requirements of major distributors regarding sustainable wines, as well as factors influencing their purchase.

This sustainable-development research programme will allow international initiatives to be integrated at the regional level in Languedoc-Roussillon. Inter Oc aims to help harmonise sustainable-development measures and coordinate communication on this topic.

The research programme was launched in early April 2009 with in-depth interviews of the six pilot companies. Consumer surveys are currently being carried out in five key countries (Canada, France, Germany, the UK and the USA). Simultaneously, dozens of international distributors are being surveyed about their attitudes to sustainable wines.

Finally, the sustainable-development policy of major New World vineyards (in Australia, California, New Zealand and South Africa) will be analysed from the point of view of production, distribution and consumption.

The results of the programme, expected in May 2010, will be shared with the partners of the project and published in 2010.

At Vinisud 2010, Inter Oc will also celebrate the fact that Pays d’Oc wines have achieved PGI status. After more than 20 years as a Vin de Pays (Local Wine), the European Union’s new Common Market Organisation for Wine is giving Pays d’Oc wine-growers and businesses a fresh impetus: as of 1 August 2009, the designation for varietal wines has changed from Vin de Pays d’Oc to Vin de Cépages à Indication Géographique Protégée Pays d’Oc (Pays d’Oc Varietal Wine, Protected Geographical Indication or PGI).

About Inter Oc

Inter Oc is a professional body promoting the Vins de Pays d’Oc of the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France.

Inter Oc will take part in the Vinisud trade show, which will take place in Montpellier (France) from 22 to 24 February 2010. Inter Oc will hold a conference on its sustainable-development research programme at the trade show on 23 February 2010 at 2.30pm, followed by a tasting on the Inter Oc stand (Hall 1, Stand A 70).

For further information, please go to: www.vindepaysdoc.com