by Dana Halawi
BEIRUT, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese winemakers, who are keen to export their wine products to China, have called on the authorities to help promote their products in China and broaden the way to the market of the East Asian country.
Nathalie Touma, owner of Chateau St Thomas, a family winery in Lebanon, told Xinhua that she previously participated in an exhibition in China and found that Lebanese products are rarely known to many Chinese consumers.
Touma said China is a big market and "we need assistance in introducing Lebanon there."
Touma's winery, a participant at the ongoing Lebanese wine festival Vinifest, is among the many at the festival who are eager to gain a stronghold in China. The festival held in Beirut from Oct. 4 to Oct. 7 has attracted hundreds of wine lovers to visit for a taste of new wines.
Gabriel Keshishian, export manager at Wardy, a Lebanese winemaker, told Xinhua that wine companies need financial support to promote their products in China amid the current economic crisis.
"The financial crisis is a hurdle for Lebanese wine producers to visit China and market their products there," said Keshishian.
Joanna Gerges, the owner of Chateau Cana, another family-run winery, told Xinhua that finding distributors in China would make it much easier to export Lebanese wines as they know better about the Chinese taste and culture.
"I believe Lebanese wineries can enter the Chinese market with greater popularity if we have a better understanding of the consumers' needs," she said.
At the opening event of the festival, Louis Lahoud, general director of the Agriculture Ministry, said the ministry is mulling a plan to organize wine-related promotion events abroad to support local wineries.
Lahoud added that the ministry has launched wine tourism nationwide to attract wine lovers and tourists, as well as increase Lebanese wines' popularity.
The official told Xinhua on the sidelines of the event that his ministry had already signed an agreement with China to provide facilities for Lebanon's wine exports to the East Asian country, which will come into effect soon.
Lebanese winemakers expressed confidence in exploring the Chinese market, given the high quality of their products, which have been exported to tens of countries outside Lebanon.
Ramez Saliba, sales and marketing director at Ksara, a renowned Lebanese winery, told Xinhua that local wineries are working hard to produce excellent quality wines despite all the difficulties prevailing in the country.
Located at an altitude of about 1,000 meters and boasting an ideal Mediterranean climate, the country is suitable for growing grapes that retain a perfect acidity and producing good wines, Saliba explained.
Nada Farah, general manager of Eventions, the organizer of Vinifest, said wine production is a traditional business in Lebanon, which is among the first countries in the world to export wine products.
She noted that Vinifest this year has witnessed the participation of more than 70 winemakers, indicating an expansion of the industry.
