Wines of Argentina, the entity responsible for the global promotion of "Vino Argentino", is pleased to announce the appointment of Veronica Kathuria, wine specialist and connoisseur, as its Trade Manager for the United States effective July, 2018. In this role, she will be responsible for elevating American customers' perception of Argentinian wines and liaising with trade professionals, opinion leaders, and consumers.
Veronica Kathuria's appointment anchors Wines of Argentina's strategy shift, to provide U.S. wine trade professionals more opportunities to learn about the unicity and diversity of Argentina's wine portfolio. Kathuria will connect key players in the trade sector to the country's new generation of agronomists and winemakers to highlight Argentina's continual efforts in innovating and improving its wine offerings. Her appointment also calls to attention the importance of how Wines from Argentina are made. The influence of women on Argentina's wine industry in recent years has been penetrating traditional gender roles in the market.
A passionate and highly skilled wine professional, Argentina-born, Chicago-based Veronica has been a prominent figure of the industry for over 12 years. Prior to joining The Flow Wine Group as Operations Manager, she held various positions in sales, distribution and marketing with leading companies such as Gerard Bertrand Wines, Nicolas Wines and marketing agency Sopexa USA. Veronica holds a master's degree in Wine Marketing & Management from the French INSEEC Business School.
"Being a native of Buenos Aires, I have a special connection to the country and its wealth of terroirs that cannot be replicated anywhere in the world," said Veronica Kathuria, US Trade Manager, Wines of Argentina. "As the US Trade Manager, my mission will be to keep on building the Argentina wine by employing communication actions, training, and spreading knowledge on Argentinian wines beyond the emblematic Malbec."
Veronica joins a distinguished line of leading women advancing the Argentinian wine industry across South America and the world, introducing a new and innovative way of doing business in what has traditionally been a predominantly male environment.
"Today, women in Argentina hold positions across all stages of the wine industry, from winemakers to export managers and sommeliers," added Magdalena Pesce, Communications & Marketing Lead, Wines of Argentina. "We are delighted to welcome Veronica Kathuria as our new US Trade Manager as she embodies the future and dynamism of Argentina's wine industry."
Growth in the U.S. Market - Harvest Quality & Volume
Through market intelligence and strategic brand positioning, Wines of Argentina is elevating their position as a true wine leader in the U.S. market. According to World's Top Exports, an independent trade metrics organization, purchases of Argentinian wines totaled USD $322.3 million in 2017, making it the sixth largest exporter of wine in the United States.
The 2018 harvest season is set to be remembered by Argentine wine producers for many years to come as it produced a high volume of grapes following a slight downward trend in the previous two seasons. According to the INV, National Viticulture Institute, the 2018 harvest of total grapes destined for wine and must production represented 31% more than in 2017 and 6% more with respect to the average of the previous 10 years. The increase in production is a result of higher spring temperatures leading to bountiful clusters. The 2018 harvest presents excellent quality, exceeding or similar to results obtained in 2013; a year that is considered a typically Argentinian harvest. 2018 wines are associated with an amiable maturity of aromas and tannins combined with good natural acidity.
