Diam Rendez-vous - 1st event held in Beaune (France)

The first DIAM Meeting took place on 11th April in Beaune where the focus was on China with Jean-Pierre Raffarin, former French Prime Minister and Vice-Chairman of the Senate, speaking about the wine market in China and the development opportunities for Burgundy wines in this market.

His enthusiasm for China shone through as he described a country that appreciates fine wine and that sees wine as a high-luxury product. “570 million litres of wine were consumed in China in 2010 and these figures should increase by 50% by 2015”.

Jean-Pierre Raffarin also emphasized the fact that China will have, in the 21st century, the same influence that the United States of America had in the 20th century. “China is going to have a considerable impact on the wine industry: this market should be closely monitored. Burgundy has every chance of succeeding in this high potential market,” he stated on Wednesday morning before a 60-strong audience composed mainly of winegrowers and wine house representatives. “This overly cautious vision that the French can sometimes have of China is rather alarming. It is more a question of understanding this culture that is so different from our own and taking an interest in them”.

The meeting, which was held in the lounges of L’Hostellerie de Levernois, finished over a lunch created for the occasion by renowned, Michelin-starred chef, Philippe Augé who served an array of local dishes accompanied by Burgundy wines… with Diam closures, of course!

This first Diam Meeting event was a great success!

You will find photos, a video and press articles below.