The global wine trade can now connect with Australian wineries via a first-of-its-kind virtual marketplace – Australian Wine CONNECT – replacing global expos and on-ground activity impacted by travel constraints. More than 1500 trade representatives from 44 countries registered for the launch events of CONNECT. Wine Australia Chief Executive Officer Andreas Clark said, with 232 Australian wineries featured and more than 2000 wines, CONNECT was already creating multiple sales leads daily between wineries, importers, retailers and on-trade. ‘Its unique virtual expo format presents a new way of doing business. It was designed to bring people together, regardless of location, time zones or travel restrictions, enabling business conversations with Australian wineries’, he said.