Welcome to Episode 1517, Trends on the Scandinavian markets – Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark with Per Buhl, Margareta Lundeberg, Nina Witikka, Marius Odland, moderated by Åsa Johansson This is the wine2wine Business Forum 2022 Series. The sessions are recorded and uploaded on Italian Wine Podcast. wine2wine Business Forum is an international wine business forum, held annually in Verona Italy since 2014. The event is a key reference point for wine producers and a diverse variety of wine professionals eager to develop and grow their wine business worldwide. About today’ session: With the help of four importers from Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, this session will give an overview of the Scandinavian markets today. The markets in the Scandinavian countries, except for Denmark, are heavily influenced by State monopolies. Which are the ongoing trends, how necessary are the organic and sustainable certifications and what about the future of Italian wine in Scandinavia? More about today’s speakers Per Buhl has a Business Diploma in Marketing Economy. 50% owner and CEO of Laudrup Vin, he started this import company some 30 years ago, after + 20 years in the Logistics, Transport and shipping industry. Its main focus is on quality wines from cool climate medium size suppliers around the world and preferably sustainable, organic, biodynamic. Connect: Instagram: @buhlper LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/per-buhl-aab8972/ Margareta Lundeberg started Handpicked Wines 2005. It is today a well-established wine importer in Sweden with 18 people working full time in the company. Handpicked Wines is a limited company, registered in Sweden, and fully licensed to import, distribute and sell wines and spirits, to both Systembolaget and restaurants. Connect: Instagram: @margaretalundeberg LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/margaretalundeberg/ Nina Witikka is a wine trade professional with a passion for wine and all that comes with it. She has worked in wine sales, import, marketing, and product development of wine since 1995, cooperating with the monopoly, ontrade market, and the travel trade. She is also Wine Director at Wineworld Finland Oy, an independent company within the wine business unit of Anora Group. Connect: Instagram: @ninawitikka LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nina-witikka-1068974/ Marius Odland started his wine career 15 years ago as a publisher of lifestyle magazines, featuring wine reviews and wine travel reports. In 2009, he founded what is now one of the most important wine magazines in Norway, called Vin&Brennevin. In 2016 he decided to enter the import business, where he became the Portfolio Manager of Nordic Wine, Beer & Spirits in 2017, building and developing the company from being a small wine importer, to becoming a medium size importer, twice the turnover. Connect: Instagram: @dr.winewolf LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mariusodland2212/ More about today’s moderator Freelance writer Åsa Johansson moved to Italy in 2001. After graduating from the University of Florence with degrees in Political Science and Journalism, and recently obtaining her WSET Diploma, she writes about wine, food, and travel for magazines in Swedish and international magazines like Decanter, Quench Magazine, Corriere Vinicolo, Guida ristorante dell´Espresso, Svenska Dagbladet, Aperitif, and others. She has started Sweden’s first podcast about Italian wines, Italienpodden.se and also makes her own Tuscan extra virgin oil, La Collina Blu. Connect: Instagram: @asa_johansson_italien LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/%C3%A5sa-johansson-09545758/ _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow us on our social media channels: Instagram @italianwinepodcast Facebook @ItalianWinePodcast Twitter @itawinepodcast Tiktok @MammaJumboShrimp LinkedIn @ItalianWinePodcast If you feel like helping us, donate here www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/