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The 18th edition of Vinexpo held on 14-18 June, 2015 has many “Firsts” to its credit. To begin with, this is the first Vinexpo to be officially opened by a French head of the state, President Hollande. This is also the first Vinexpo for the new CEO Guillaume Deglise and thus the signs of refreshing remodeling-right from the space layout to having conferences on the current wine trends in the industry, were everywhere in the trade fair.
 François Hollande in his address announced his support to the French Wine Industry. He promised to introduce new measures to back France’s second largest export market. He also toured the exhibitors talking to producers and visitors on the opening morning of the show. Thanks to the initiatives of Vinexpo CEO, Guillaume Deglise the trade fair had a major facelift and was brimming with modern revamped layouts and exciting programmes. To begin with, the restaurant offering was much better than the previous years. Also the exhibition spaces were designed in a way so that they all faced the lake. With the tagline “Taste the Unexpected” Deglise certainly had set out to attract the global wine professionals through the 18th edition.
It was an exceptional opportunity to discover new products, expand product portfolios, and build business relations. In addition to wines from all over the world including Lebanon, Mexico, Georgia, England, there was Whiskey from Japan, Pisco from Peru, Vodka from Ukraine and Rum from Columbia to grace the fair.
Tastings, conferences and events
 An interesting Programme by Academy Vinexpo comprised of amazing Tastings ( apart from Bordeaux, the ones that attracted me were tasting of Chilean wines, tasting of Abruzzo and Apulia wines from Italy, Port wines tasting , Almaviva Masterclass, ‘Expression Bio’-Organic wines from all over France, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon tastings) and Conferences on the subjects relevant to today’s wines business -for example, Investing in a vineyard in Bordeaux; Africa as the future destination of wines and spirits, U.S. and China markets in 2025; Inside the U.S. market-the 3 tier system in the U.S. wine trade; increasing business opportunities by mining social media data etc, attracted the likes of me. U.S. being at the forefront of high growth countries in wine and spirits consumption, was the guest country of Vinexpo this year and therefore it was not surprising to find numerous conferences and tasting events dedicated to the U.S. wine trade.
A sneak peek inside the fair
Wine writer Hugh Johnson OBE was named as the recipient of the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Institute of Masters of Wine and The Drinks Business during the Lifetime Achievement Award luncheon on the 16th June at Vinexpo. The trade fair also boasted of free tasting zones, networking areas and chilling out zones to take the fair to a higher notch in order to create a great environment for business.
 “Flights” free tastings where rosé, sparking and sweet wines were dispensed free to visitors via a shiny fleet of Enomatic machines in three different tasting zones, were a hit in the fair. 180 rosé, sparkling and sweet wines from all around the world were available to try by glass. Sparklers were hooked up to the new Flute device that preserves fizz by using argon gas. In addition to Champagne, Crémants, Prosecco, Cava and sparkling wines from Australia, South Africa and the U.S.A were free flowing.
Spiritual a new concept bar showcased spirits brands and flag up mixology trends through cocktails shaken up by big name bartenders. From the “world’s best Cognac” at the Marie Brizard stand to Gautier XO Gold & Blue the bar was the place to taste quality spirits at the fair.
L’Atelier Food and Wine by Gault & Millau saw Top Chefs and sommeliers in action everyday at the fair in a series of live food and wine demonstrations hosted by France’s prominent restaurant and gourmet guide. It was amazing to see ‘live’ how chefs and sommeliers work with flavors and aromas to create food and wine pairings.
Les Terrasses premium stands at the centre of the fair that opened onto the exhibition hall on one side and the lake on the other, provided a beautiful setting for welcoming Vinexpo visitors.
Lakeside restaurants and eating joints – from food trucks to gourmet restaurants meant one could mix business with 'fun' ('food', since we are in France!)
#DigiZone Vinexpo's digital space was a fabulous and a new concept to create a physical and virtual space within which online communicators can network amongst themselves and the wine and spirits sector, about topics relating to Vinexpo, wine and Spirits.
China is everywhere
 The economic pundits have announced China emerging as the biggest global economy by 2025. This is true in wine business too as China is taking center stage in the trade not only as a global consumer but also a global producer. It is no wonder then that the new premium global publication, Le Pan (the art of fine wine living) is based in Hong Kong and its CEO and publisher is Jeannie Cho Lee who is also the first Asian to have earned the ‘Master of Wine’. Le Pan unveiled its launch edition at Vinexpo and organized Master Classes presided by a Master of Wine, on Champagne , wines from Rhone Valley , Oregon and New Zealand.
Gala dinner at Chateau Montrose: Fête de la fleur
Martin and Melissa Bouygues of Chateau Montrose (Saint Estephe second growth) hosted the traditional Fete de la Fleur gala dinner marking the closing of Vinexpo 2015, with a presence of 1,680 guests. Guests at the evening also included Bordeaux mayor Alain Juppé ,French senator Jean-Pierre Raffarin, and a host of esteemed personalities from the world of wine, including First Growth owners from Philippe Sereys de Rothschild, to Corinne Mentzelopolous of Chateau Margaux and Prince Robert of Luxembourg. With a gorgeous dinner by three-star Michelin chef Christian Le Squer of Le Cinq restaurant of hotel Georges V in Paris kicked off with a Caviar de Montrose, produced by sturgeon owned by Martin Bouygues himself, the evening was as good as could get!
With a value of over € 25 billion, the wine business holds a key spot in the global economy. Like any industry, the growth of wine industry too depends a great deal on exchange and dissemination of information and knowledge. The industry is further strengthened by newcomers entering the industry- new cultures opening to wine and spirits. For key industry buyers, exhibitors and visitors, Vinexpo is a global business platform- setting and following trends, spreading awareness, promoting leadership and exchange and facilitating networking with a view to further empower and expand the industry.
Guillaume Deglise, the new CEO of Vinexpo had said on an earlier occasion that he wanted to introduce a “ wow” factor and leave his stamp on the trade fair. Vinexpo 2015 would not be remembered for its “wow” factor but Mr. Deglise has certainly upped the game at his first chance.
Pallavi Vatsa
For earlier articles click
VinExpo 2015: Historical inauguration of French Show by Hollande
Lifetime Achievement Award for Hugh Johnson by MW Institute |