DHL Launches the Annual Wine Race against Time.

BASEL, Switzerland -- Thanks to precisely timed logistics services from DHL Danzas Air & Ocean, connoisseurs of the young wine around the world can raise a glass of this year's vintage Beaujolais Nouveau on November 18, 2004.

A meticulously planned operation from leading global air and ocean freight provider DHL Danzas Air & Ocean is responsible for the distribution by air of 2600 tons of this year's Beaujolais Nouveau to locations overseas in Asia and America to arrive so that it is ready to be opened at one minute past midnight on the third Thursday of November.

Beaujolais Nouveau is particularly popular in Japan, which ordered 1300 tons, while 1000 tons went to the United States and 200 to Korea. Among other more far-flung destinations were Vietnam, China, Korea, Micronesia and Australia.

DHL Danzas Air & Ocean Airfreight Director at Lyon, Pierre Glas said: "Our goal is to ensure that our customers - the producers of Beaujolais wines - are entirely satisfied with the service we offer them. We consider it our duty to provide them with the powerful and smooth logistics support that is such an essential aspect of their export growth."

For more than 20 years DHL Danzas Air & Ocean has been entrusted with the task of planning and executing the collection and transport of the annual Beaujolais Nouveau vintage around the world. Due to the strict regulations laid down by the European Union surrounding the export of this young wine, DHL Danzas Air & Ocean has a short window of action for distribution that begins at 8 a.m. local time November 10, at which point the wine may leave the European Union, and 00.01 November 18, when consumption may officially begin.

The bottled wine travels in trucks from vineyards all over the Beaujolais region in central eastern France down to Lyon where it is carefully loaded onto pallets. These pallets are then boarded onto specially arranged charter aircraft as well as a number of regular flights operated by carrier partners of DHL Danzas Air & Ocean to be flown out to logistics gateways all over the world. The flow of information and documentation is managed in advance to ensure that no obstacles stand in the way of smooth delivery. This includes consolidation, packing lists, wines and spirits tax declarations to ensure pre-clearance.

Not only does DHL Danzas Air & Ocean ensure that all the necessary measures are in place to manage this highly efficient just-in-time operation, but where necessary is also on hand to send the wine on its way once it has reached its destination.

"We relish this annual challenge that demands stringent organization and fine timing to distribute this popular wine so that it can be enjoyed around the world while it is at its young and fruity best," added Pierre Glas.

About DHL

With annual revenues over $25 billion in 2003, DHL is the global market leader of the international express and logistics industry, specializing in providing innovative and customized solutions from a single source.

DHL offers expertise in express, air and ocean freight, overland transport and logistics solutions, combined with worldwide coverage and an in-depth understanding of local markets. DHL's international network links more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. Over 160,000 employees are dedicated to providing fast and reliable services that exceed customers' expectations. Founded in San Francisco in 1969, DHL is 100% owned by Deutsche Post World Net. For more information on DHL, please visit www.dhl.com.

The Tradition of Beaujolais Nouveau

Having started as a local event in Lyon to celebrate the end of the harvest, today the arrival of the annual Beaujolais Nouveau is celebrated internationally. The Beaujolais wine-growing region specializes in the gamay grape, which accounts for 98 percent of production, while the remaining two percent is made with the pinot noir and chardonnay grape. The region is just 34 miles long and between seven and nine miles wide. This young wine is light and fruity and should be drunk chilled.