Belgian winegrowing has experienced remarkable growth and quality improvement in recent years. Each year, the title of 'Belgian Wine Ambassador' is awarded to a person or institution that has made a special effort to promote and develop the Belgian wine sector. Stefaan Soenen's ambassadorship was announced during the 35th edition of Catering Expo in Ghent.
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vzw Belgian Winegrowers
De vzw Belgian Winegrowers is a sector association representing more than 130 professional and semi-professional wine growers in Belgium. Since its foundation in 2009, the association has been committed to the professionalization of the Belgian wine growing sector through training, commercial cooperation and advocacy with various authorities.
The association organises numerous activities, including training courses and events, and acts as a point of contact for winegrowers with questions or needs. In addition, the association strives for clarification and simplification of legislative and administrative matters and negotiates interesting group purchases for its members.
Belgian wine growing
Belgian winemaking has experienced impressive growth in recent decades. What was once considered a small niche industry has today grown – also thanks to the wine ambassadors – into a flourishing sector with international recognition.
Belgian wines are increasingly appreciated for their quality, finesse and have gained considerable recognition in recent years at international wine competitions. Sparkling wines from Belgium are often compared to champagne and regularly win prestigious awards.
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Belgian Wine Ambassador
The role of the Belgian Wine Ambassador is crucial for the promotion of Belgian wines, both nationally and internationally. This ambassador acts as a figurehead for the sector and is committed to increasing the awareness and appreciation of Belgian wines. This is done through educational activities, tastings and representing Belgian winegrowing on various platforms.
The selection criteria for the Belgian Wine Ambassador are based on the contribution to the sector, the passion for Belgian wines and the efforts to promote the quality and reputation of Belgian wines. Previous ambassadors have distinguished themselves through their dedication to wine growing and their ability to inspire and inform others about the richness of Belgian wine culture.
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Appointment of the Belgian Wine Ambassador
The appointment of the Belgian Wine Ambassador is a recognition of the efforts of individuals who make a significant contribution to this positive development. It is a tribute to those who work with passion and dedication to strengthen the position of Belgian wines on the global wine map.
De vzw Belgian Winegrowers has elected Stefaan Soenen as Belgian Wine Ambassador of 2024.
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Wine ambassador Stefaan Soenen
Stefaan Soenen has been writing about wine for years, and Belgian wine in particular. In addition, the newest Belgian Wine Ambassador is also an editor at the Dutch magazine Perswijn, for which he regularly organizes wine tastings where Belgian wines are compared to foreign ones.
And as if that wasn't enough, Stefaan Soenen, together with Gido Van Imschoot, wrote the texts for the Gault&Millau Wine Guide Belgium, a second edition of which was presented last summer.
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Contribution to Belgian wine growing
“I don't think anyone knows more about Belgian wine than Stefaan Soenen,” says Lodewijk Waes, chairman of the non-profit organisation Belgian Winegrowers. In recent years he has visited almost every wine estate in our country or discussed wine from them.”
"He regularly makes comparisons with foreign wines and points out that we are rarely inferior to them. In this way, he has contributed enormously to the fact that the outdated image of Belgian wine has now been adjusted. It is therefore only fitting that we award Stefaan the title of Belgian Wine Ambassador."
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