The ENOMAQ, TECNOVID, OLEOMAQ, OLEOTEC, and FRUYVER trade fairs became the stage for debate on sustainability in processes related to viticulture, olive oil production, and horticulture. While the fair activities took place in the pavilions of the Zaragoza Trade Fair Center, the event agenda was complemented by numerous technical sessions highlighting environmental awareness in the production of wine, olive oil, and fruits and vegetables.

In the presentation of the papers under the title "Wine and Sustainability," organized by the Wine Week, the general director of the Aragonese trade fair institution, Rogelio Cuairán, emphasized the numerous synergies that exist between the worlds of wine and olive oil. Thus, this forum proved useful, despite its focus on grape products, for both winegrowers and olive growers. “These sessions are the perfect complement to bring together all the talent in the sector, which then translates into innovation and new projects,” commented Cuairán regarding the importance of the technical workshops held within the framework of ENOMAQ 2017.

The first speaker, Mario de la Fuente, head of the viticulture division of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), emphasized the need to minimize the global impacts of wine production. In this regard, “the OIV works on four fundamental pillars: environmental, social, cultural, and economic,” de la Fuente highlighted, pointing to issues such as working conditions, the preservation of a Spanish heritage—such as wine—and economic resilience.

Later, Joan Esteve, technical director of viticulture at the Codorniu Group, presented his company's sustainability strategy, based on the combination of three principles: being environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and economically viable. To achieve this, “using the least impactful inputs, at the right time and in the most efficient way possible, is the best way to maximize the expression of the grapes and the wines,” Esteve stated.

To close the session, Susana García, Deputy Secretary General of the Spanish Wine Federation, outlined some of the problems facing the wine industry. “We are almost more regulated than the pharmaceutical market,” García asserted, illustrating the large number of regulations that apply to this sector. Among them, she continued, “despite being a very healthy product,” wine producers cannot make nutritional claims because it is an alcoholic beverage.

Meanwhile, in another of the technical sessions reflecting ENOMAQ's commitment to technology and environmental stewardship, the Official Association of Agricultural Engineers of Aragon, Navarre, and the Basque Country brought together several experts in innovation in the production, processing, and distribution of grapes and wine at the Aragonese trade fair venue.

On the international stage, ENOMAQ hosted the “International Grape Quality Forum,” organized by Foss, which brought together leading figures in the European wine industry. More than 300 people participated in this event, in addition to those who followed it via live stream.

Furthermore, the Winemaker's Corner was one of the highlights of the day, featuring a tasting of award-winning wines from the “Tempranillos al Mundo” competition. There, exhibitors and visitors, guided by a master winemaker, were able to taste wines from the Altos de Rioja and Marqués de Cáceres wineries. Later in the afternoon, wine professionals enjoyed a talk on magnetic resonance imaging for wines.

Thus passed the penultimate day of ENOMAQ, TECNOVID, OLEOMAQ, OLEOTEC, and FRUYVER, further solidifying Feria de Zaragoza's position as a national and international benchmark for innovation, technology, and environmental responsibility, thanks to the quality of the events, the commercial activity carried out in its pavilions, and the trade mission program that concluded today.

The trade shows will close their doors tomorrow with two new and highly attractive activities for visitors: a micro-tasting program featuring experts from various fields—Horeca, winemakers, sommeliers, and media representatives—and a talk on the uses of silver in winemaking, which will take place at 11:00 a.m. in the Winemaker's Corner (located in pavilion 9).