The Chief Executive of the latest entrant into Ghana’s wines industry, FABECO Group Limited, says the company is poised to introduce and supply the best quality wines in the country and West African markets.

Kojo Bentum-Williams revealed this to Joy Business at the sidelines of his company’s wine-tasting event dubbed “Experience Espana in a Bottle” held on Wednesday at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel.

The Wine-tasting Night

The night offered participants the opportunity to taste Spanish wines produced by Covides - one of Spain’s biggest wine makers from the Penedes region of Barcelona.

The local distributor of Covides, FABECO Group Limited on the night introduced the Ghanaian public to the Maria Amoros, Duc de Foix and Cava range of premium wines produced from the best selection of grapes from carefully tilled vineyards from Catalonia.

Patrons sampled about seven different varieties of premium wine by Covides - each paired with accompanying dishes (local and foreign) such as olives, bread rolls, meat and prawns.

The event was attended by some members of the Diplomatic Corps, Business Executives, Tourism and Hospitality industry players and the public.

The Spanish Ambassador to Ghana, Maria Alonso who was the Guest of Honour described Spanish wines as among the best in the world.  

“Over the last few years, Spain has developed very good wines and now offer wines that are comparable to ones you can find from France or any part of the world and we are very proud of this,” she said.

The International Commercial Director of Covides, Christophe Marquet who led his company’s to the event was optimistic Ghanaians would embrace the wine culture as in many developed other countries.

Ghana’s Immediate Past Minister for Tourism, Creative Arts and Culture, Elizabeth Ofosu Adjare also graced the occasion. 

The Wine Tasting and Food Pairing event was preceded by a training session on progressional wine serving for Bartenders, Food and Beverage Managers.

Ghana Wine Statistics

According to Ghana Wine Report, 2011, the grape (red and white) wine category leads the market, accounting for more than 70 percent of the total wine market in Ghana.

Average wine consumption per capita rose from 0.3 liters to about 0.5 litres in 2006-2010. Wine export to Ghana is also said to be growing due to increasing social trends and the perception that wines are healthier. Local wine processing is however underdeveloped and costly.

The leading suppliers of wine in Ghana are South America (Chile, Argentina), European Union and South Africa because they offer good quality and inexpensive wine products.

Export of U.S. wine to Ghana is growing from $328,000 to $499,000 between 2008 and 2010 but the market share remains very small. The increasing wine demand offers an opportunity for U.S. exporters to increase U.S. consumer food exports to Ghana.