Among many bottles, oenologists, sommeliers, representatives and fans of spirits seemed difficult to stand out, but foreign brands that Cuba Ron SA distributes on the island distinguished themselves in the XVI International Wine Festival, held in Havana on 1, 2 and 3 October.
The firm Guran SA-from distant Georgia- dressed some of its strange container and cases, like traditional clothes from the Caucasian territory. Cuba is one of the few Latin American countries chosen by them to promote their wineries Bagani, Pius Lima and Bagrationi, the latter specializing in sparkling wines.
"In the Cuban market there is strong competition; dominated the Chilean, Italian and Spanish wines that can offer less expensive variants, while those made in Georgia are expensive because of the high price of grapes, unique in the world, "said Tornike Khurtsidze, vice president of the company, in the 1930 Hall of the National Hotel.
However, Guran SA aims at expanding the little knowledge about the wine culture of the country that has in these parts, and introduced through the open door in Cuba Ron 29 types of wines.
very close to the Georgian stand, the event organizers placed the products of Miguel Torres SA, a company whose executives say they feel at home when it comes to Cuba. Although they have wineries in Spain, Chile and the United States, the company was founded in 1870 thanks to the capital of one of its initiators, built on the island, Jaime Torres.
Five generations of the family managed the firm for nearly a century and a half. Today, they market in more than 140 countries, different varieties of wines among other: Viña Sol, Sangre de Toro, De Casta, Coronas, Atrium and Viña Esmeralda. They have nine appellations of origin in Spain and has been listed by the prestigious British Magazine Drinks International such as the "world's most admired Winnery" in 2014 and 2015.
"About 8 years ago we started trade relations with Cuba Ron, distributing Santiago de Cuba brand to the European market; this year we introduced nearly seven containers with wine bottles here, "says the representative Carlos Acosta Baquero. He defends the role of Bodegas Torres in both the insertion of the products of the island in the old continent, and promoting a "culture of wine" in Cuba.
"We are the pioneers, among the oldest wineries here, and we want to raise the standard of the wines on the market that is growing, both in tourism and in the tables of Cuban families," he said.
On the export of rum – they distribute in Spain, Sweden, Mexico, India and China, among other countries- he added that is needed to recover a space loan to Nicaraguan, Guatemalan and Dominican products that thanks to good advertising strategies have positioned themselves in the world. But the "seal of Cuba" has great values and in Miguel Torres SA they know it. That is why they work in an alliance that combines experiences in the distillation of rum and wine world, to diversify brands marketed in the areas of influence of both Businesses.
According to the foreign manager, the Santiago, Caney Cubay brands make a strong trident, but new lines can be open, especially in the aged and extra-aged field that is now on the rise. "There must be positioned a differentiated product and Cubans have history in their favor," he said.
And why is that close relationship between Bodegas Torres and Cuba Ron SA? Carlos Acosta Baquero sees it clearly. "Us, in the world of wine, we are like you in the rums: the original producers. Cuba Ron has masters who know better to make the drink. We have quality and customers that are not achieved in three days. "
