The international exchange course, "Wine Business Strategies in the Languedoc-Roussillon Region in the South of France", took place from 29 August to 10 September 2014. The course was attended by 16 undergraduate students from Kyoto University.
On the first day of the program, Dr Herve' Hannin, head of the Institute for Higher Education in Vine and Wine (IHEV) based within Montpellier SupAgro, greeted the participants with a welcome speech, before Dr Etienne Montaigne, Dr Alfredo Manuel Coelho, and Dr Louis-Antoine Saisset gave lectures on, respectively, the basics of viticulture, enology, and business management in the French wine industry.
Over the course of the next few days, the students visited independent wineries and winemaking cooperatives, experienced the harvest of wine grapes (vintage), and toured surrounding areas including Carcassonne, Perpignan, Arles, and Nimes.
On the final day, the participants shared their knowledge and insights gained throughout the course by giving English-language presentations to Montpellier SupAgro faculty members.
Students who took part in the 13-day course -- some of whom had little or no knowledge of wine prior to the study trip -- not only developed a new understanding of French wines but also an interest in Japan's own wine industry.
Seminar on France's wine economy held at Monpellier SupAgro
Visiting a winemaking cooperative
Harvesting wine grapes
Learning about a grape harvester
Visiting an independent winery
Seminar about a blue cheese cooperative
Final presentations at Montpellier SupAgro
Study trip participants
