The mayor of the Argentinian city Mendoza — a key exporter of wines found on local shelves — is in town looking to connect with business, government and other aspects of Nashville life.Mayor Victor Fayad arrived last night and will stay through the weekend as part of a visit coordinated by Sister Cities of Nashville, a nonprofit that promotes cultural exchange. Among his engagements will be visits with members of the wine industry, including Nashville retailers that are already enthusiastic about his region’s famed Malbec wines.
“I think wine is the beginning of a greater relationship,” Fayad said through a translator during an interview this morning.
In addition to visiting local businesses, Fayad will shadow Mayor Karl Dean and explore various aspects of local government and culture as part of an agreement that makes the two communities “sister cities.” He also plans to discuss establishing a student and instructor exchange between area schools and the University of Cuyo in Argentina.
Mendoza is widely known for its production of Malbec, a deep-bodied red that members of the wine industry say is in vogue with wine drinkers. Water runs down the mountains into an otherwise dry area, which mixed with other factors makes for a rare grape-growing environment.
Members of the local wine industry were enthusiastic about Fayad’s visit, for a host of reasons.
“I think it’s great,” said Daryl Gibbs, general manager of Grace’s Plaza Wine and Spirits of Nashville, where Fayad will visit. “Across the board, (Argentinian wine makers’) growth has been amazing.”
Gibbs said he thinks continuing to develop a rapport between the two cities could open Nashville up to more small wine makers.
Paul Patel, owner of Midtown Wine and Spirits of Nashville, was less sure about chances to develop a more extensive pipeline to wines from Mendoza, but he appreciates the chance for cultural exchange and likes the rising profile of Nashville as an international city as Fayad visits his and other locales.
Fayad said developing exporting opportunities is a constant concern, as is developing tourism surrounding the wine industry. He was enthusiastic about learning more about Nashville, noting that its restaurants, entertainment and other infrastructure for tourism are impressive.
His visit follows one last year by Dean and others.
Written by Brian Reisinger for Nashville Business Journal
Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/stories/2010/09/06/daily20.html
