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London International Wine Show (LIWF): 20 -22
May
Considered as one of the most important fairs on any
wine stakeholder's calendar, it is useful for importers, merchants, producers,
agents, restaurateurs, wholesalers, sommeliers, in fact everyone whose
work brings them in direct contact with wine. It provides an opportunity
to taste, meet with suppliers and winemakers.
For visitors, the Fair can be hugely beneficial. The
opportunity to meet with over 1,200 exhibitors from every major producing
country all in one place, and to taste the new vintage in a relaxed but
professional environment, saves time and money.
From UK independent wine merchants, to Scottish restaurant
owners, to Swedish monopoly buyers, the London Wine Fair is the best place
to find new suppliers, niche labels, new ideas and genuine opportunity.
And being a strictly trade-only event, it's focused purely on building
you a better business.
Apart from the 1,350 stands and more than 20,000 wines
to explore there's a packed schedule of tastings and seminars to look
forward to at the Fair.
Organic and Biodynamic Wines will be the focus this
year's 'Top 100' wines tasting.
There are Italian wine tastings organised by ICE. Wine-fault
workshops and Masterclasses will be interesting.
For the first time, Distil, a show for spirits is also
being held concurrently, opposite the LIWF.
For details visit http://www.liwsf.com
Vinoble 2008 - (25-28 May)
The sixth international Noble Wines (Fortified, Dessert
and Natural sweet wines) is held every two years in the Sherry capital,
Jerez and is unique for its focus on the niche market.
It is the only wine show dedicated exclusively to fortified,
dessert, and natural sweet wines. Jerez de la Frontera is the Andalusian
town that shares its name (Sherry in English) with one of the most famous
wines produced in Spain.
The show site is the Arab Alcazar whose interior encloses
the Renaissance Palace of Villavicencio. The stands are installed in the
palace's rooms and gardens.
Over 100 producers are present from about 20 countries.
One can taste the best of Vin Santos, German and BeerenAusleses and TrockenBeerenAusleses,
Hungarian Tokays, Sweet Sauternes, Austrian icewine. Late harvest and
Noble Rot rule here. Passito and Moscato can be similarly tasted among
many other special dessert wines.
If you want to become a master of sherries and learn
the difference between Fino and Olorosso, or want to demystify Harvey's
Bristol Cream no other place will do for you. Sweet Grenache? They are
here too. And you take siesta too as the show is closed during the afternoon.
There are several seminars and guided tastings-one can
master Sherries, ports and Madeira. My favourite is of course, the vertical
tasting of four vintages of Chateau d'Yquem going back 20 years. Yquem
means near perfection and here is an opportunity to set your benchmarks
for sweet wine tasting.
The city of Jerez is electrifying too. A combination
of old and new is truly fascinating in this predominantly a city with
Arab culture.
For info and pre-registration contact http://www.vinoble.com
Vinexpo Asia Pacific 2008( 27-29 May)
After attending the first 2 days at Vinoble, one can
rush to Hong Kong to catch the last 2 days. Being a part of Vinexpo it
has its own excitement, especially because of the expanding Asian market
as well as producers from Australia and New Zealand finding it an important
market for them.
The importance of the show goes up a few notches this
year as the government has just scrapped the duties on wines, making them
potentially the cheapest wine market and consequently a hub for the Asian
market.
Vinexpo University is exclusively open to the exhibitors
to present their products and know-how to the importers, wholesalers,
distributors, wine waiters, duty free buyers, journalists etc. This is
a great opportunity to learn about the latest in wines.
http://www.vinexpo.com
Oenovideo Festival (May30- June1)
If you don't want come back all the way to Hong Kong
from Spain, you might consider stopping over in France where the city
of Gruissan in Aube is holding the 15th International Grape and Wine film
festival. Films made on grapes and vineyards are awarded here and it may
be well worth a change.
For details, visit http://www.oenovideo.oeno.tm.fr
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