Vinexpo is set to return to the United States with an as yet to be confirmed event, but it would not be a full blown exhibition similar to the ones in Bordeaux and Hong Kong, revealed chief executive Robert Beynat at Vinexpo 2011 today.

He told Harpers it was the right time to go back to the United States as part of Vinexpo's role to ensure it was concentrating its efforts in those parts of the world that had potential for growth.  "But it will not be an exhibition. It will be an event but I am not in a position to say more than that at the moment." He would not confirm if the event would happen in 2012 or at a later time.

He said the Vinexpo board was due to meet shortly to discuss the US proposal and that an announcement would be made to the trade in November.

"In the UK wine consumption is at 23 litres per head. In the US it is only 12 litres per head. So there is a big opportunity there and all the major global player are aware of that," he added.

This is also reflected, he added, in the larger delegation of US buyers present at this week's Vinexpo 2012 in Bordeaux.