Chieko Konayaga, of the Spanish foreig trade agency office in Tokio, accepts "A live dedicated to wine" award in Fenavin

Market Analyst, Chieko Konayaga of the Spanish Foreign Trade Agency Office at the Spanish Embassy in Tokyo, was presented with the ‘A Life Dedicated to Wine’ award in the 6th edition of Fenavin, the Spanish Wine Fair which took place from 10th to 12th May in Ciudad Real. This accolade represents recognition of the work carried out by Chieko Konayaga to promote Spanish wines on the Japanese market throughout her professional career.

The ‘A Life Dedicated to Wine’ awards ceremony, which took place last Wednesday, also recognised several other domestic and international professionals for their commitment to the wine sector. In addition, artist, Antonio López, Manager of the Spanish National Football Team, Vicente del Bosque, and journalist, Paco García Caridad were recognised as wine ambassadors by Fenavin’s organisers via its Chairman, Nemesio Lara, and the fair’s Managing Director, Manuel Juliá.

During her acceptance speech, Chieko Konayaga highlighted the progress made by Spanish wine in Japan, having carved an important niche for itself on such a competitive market: “Now it’s clear that there is wine in Spain and what’s more quality wine at that. And this is the image that is being disseminated in Japan”. Earlier that day, the market analyst had led a talk on the current situation of Spanish wines in Japan, where she spoke about the important increase experienced over the last 10 years, and especially the significant surge from 2009 on, as well as Japanese consumer habits and the best strategies to be adopted by Spanish bodegas in order to sell their wines in Japan. During the talk, Chieko Konoyaga emphasised the importance of marketing campaigns, attending wine fairs and collaborating with local professionals as regards promoting import wine sales in Japan.

However, the Japanese market was not the only international market analysed during Fenavin; Germany, the US, Russia and China were also the focus of various conferences targeted at analysing opportunities for Spanish wine abroad. In addition, Robert Parker’s associate, Jay Miller, led a La Mancha wine tasting together with Spanish Master of Wine, Pancho Campo during which the US critic advised Castilla-La Mancha bodegas to take advantage of the current boom of all things ‘Spain’ in the US.

In its 6th edition, as well as encouraging trade links between exhibitors and sector professionals, the Spanish Wine Fair also aimed to increase the prestige surrounding wine culture with the help of distinguished individuals from a variety of different fields.

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