The primary mission…From Tokyo to New York, from Shanghai to London and from Paris to Montreal, the members of the Union pursue their primary objective in cooperation with distributors, brokers and merchants: to meet some 50,000 or so professionals and wine lovers each year around the world and present their latest vintages to them. Hosted by estate owners or their operational staff, some 80 events take place each year in over a dozen countries. As well as France, of course, they include Europe (Germany, UK, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Netherlands, Russia), North America (US and Canada) and Asia (China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore). The Union has often played a pioneering role in opening up these markets, especially in Asia. En Primeur Week…The Union was also the originator of another highlight of the Bordeaux wine calendar, Primeur Week. An opportunity to reserve fine wines at preferential prices while they are still in the barrel, the annual event draws 5 – 6,000 wine professionals from all over the world. Enhancing an international reputation…In addition to its primary promotional mission, the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux is also an ambassador for French culture, in which wine plays a prominent part. Underpinned by the values of sharing and conviviality, these encounters in foreign countries very often lead to long-standing links of friendship.