Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris offers a meeting point for global industry figures and international producers.
And so it begins: the Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris, an international event for the wine and spirits industry at Porte de Versailles, started this morning, February 13. The exhibition will welcome over 30,000 visitors from across the globe and will continue until Thursday, February 16. It will see some innovative event formats, including the Chef & Sommelier Duos, the Battle of the Female Sommeliers and the Battle of the Mixologists.
“Every time a bottle of wine is uncorked at a table somewhere across the globe, a piece of France travels to the other side of the world,” said Guy Savoy, patron of the event, whose restaurant in the 6th arrondissement of Paris was named the world’s best restaurant for the sixth consecutive year.
A total of 52 countries will come together in Paris, with France represented by all of its wine regions, with seven northern French areas exhibiting in a dedicated hall which will also be the stage for many exhibition highlights; these include La Nouvelle Vague, Wine Tech Perspectives, Let’s Talk Wine! and free-pour tastings.
Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris is a significant gathering point for sommeliers, as evidenced by the partnership with the World’s Best Sommelier Competition hosted by the ASI (Association de la Sommellerie Internationale) the day before the exhibition. Another new feature in 2023 is the Chef & Sommelier Duos which showcases chefs and sommeliers who, in tandem, try to be the most creative and skilful. Each duo will present inspiring pairings under the watchful eye of 1992 World’s Best Sommelier, Philippe Faure-Brac. And then there is The Battle of the Mixologists: in front of an audience of 50 people and under the critical eye of a panel of experts, four renowned mixologists will be pitted against each other. They will be asked to produce three cocktails revolving around a surprise theme revealed on the day.
The event aims to offer a focal point for industry players centring on a comprehensive, relevant and inclusive range of products that showcases vineyard sites across the globe alongside all the French wine regions.
