PRESS RELEASE - Athens, 26 August 2004

Subject: "ATHENS 2004 - WINE TASTING FORUM" - 25th August 2004 - Grand Ball Room - Saraglion Mansion


GREECE 2004

On the occasion of ATHENS 2004 Olympics and in association with ATHENS 2004 and Athens Business Club 2004 the well-attended wine fete was happening. The "GREEK WINE FORUM" was underway in the beautifully restored Saraglion Mansion in the heart of Athens. The elegant event was hosted in the Grand Ball Room by the Hellenic Center of Investment and iForce Communications. Internationally renown, Wine Expert and Best-selling Author, Mr. Nico Manessis conducted the presentation and tasting. Among the many distinguished guests, Ambassadors, Ministers, international VIPs, various members of royal families and world class Greek Vintners invited, the hot topic of conversation for the evening was - "Greek Contemporary Wine".

The international guests enjoyed Mr. Manessis' charming yet articulate presentation of the sophisticated selection of wines offered at the tasting. Between the sipping and spitting - avid interest and conversation about Greek wine was made.


Familiar faces from the Greek wine industry were about: Constantine Boutari, Chairman of the Board of Directors of J. Boutari Wines, and his lovely wife, Maria, the distinguished Oenologist and Partner of Alpha Estate, Mr. Angelos Iatridis, Mr. Leon Karatsalos, Partner & Winemaker of GAIA Wines, Dimitra and Erifili Parparoussis, Oenologist and Vineyardist at A.S. Parparoussi Winery, Vassilis Kourtakis, President of the Federation of Greek Vintners & Greek Wine Cellars D. Kourtakis and Mrs. Anne Kokotos of Semeli and Domain Kokotos.

Distinguished guests included His Excellency Ambassador Hae Moon Chung of Korea with his delegation of VIPs, H.E. Ambassador Emmanuel Vlandis and Italian wife Mrs. Anna-Maria Vlandi, H.E. Ambassador Claude Rijmenans and wife Mrs. Marie-Therese Rijmenans of Belgium, Mr. Andreas Zaimis - President of the Friends of Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Mr. Iraklis Ieronimakis - Consulate of Portugal, Secretary General - Mr. George Mergos of the Ministry of Finance, Advisor & Consultant to the Ministry of Agriculture - Mr. Constantine Zaimis, Mr. Vasso Vamvas - CEO of the Hellenic Center of Investment and International Journalists, Mr. Cherwa from the International Herald Tribune and Mr. Morgan of the L.A. TIMES as well as various IOC - International Olympic Committee Members were in attendance.

The tasting and reception included a savvy selection from contemporary Greek vineyards including Oenoforos, Ktima Gerovassiliou, Gaia Wines, Alpha Estate, Estate Biblia Hora, A.S. Parparoussis,
E. Tsantali, J. Boutari Wines
and Semeli.

Wine Expert and Author, Nico Manessis' experience includes vineyard management, wine production, marketing and fine wine advisory services which span Europe and the U.S.A. with more than 20 years experience. He is the best-selling author of the "The Illustrated Greek Wine Book" and has contributed to numerous books and publications such as International Herald Tribune, the Financial Times and Decanter. He is a member of the Academie Internationale du Vin and resides in Geneva, Switzerland.

For press and media correspondence, please contact iForce Communications, Mary Michalopoulou at +30.210.339.2501


About iForce
iForce Communications S.A. offers experience, know-how and services in the areas of Event Organization & Management, Corporate Communications & Public Relations, Marketing, Investor & Media Relations, Communications Strategy, Lobbying and Project Procurement which are custom tailored for Greek and International clientele. Our clients include "Fortune 500" companies, Governmental entities and NGO's who consider their strategic presence vital in the global economy.

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