Vinexpo India to join SIAL India Mumbai on 10-12 May 2022

There were lurking uncertainties about the success or even holding the maiden edition of Vinexpo India with the Omicron cases slowly rising in India, that restricted the flow of international travelers and curtailed the out-of-home activities of many. Coupled with the excise laws in Delhi that preclude any labels that are already registered in Delhi to be allowed display and tasting- a setback for the exhibition, the Show managed very good presence for wine and spirits companies. With co-location of the Show with SIAL India, and a host of show-stopper Conferences, it turned out to be a big success for the maiden attempt.

Some foreign participants backed out at the last minute. Even Rod Lameyse, CEO of Vinexposium which had tied up with Inter Ads Exhibitions for the two Shows, and his team of French representatives had to cancel the trip because of sudden imposition of quarantine at the airport. However, it was heartening to see the Swiss, Japanese and Italian exhibitors making it to the Show, the time consuming RT-PCR tests at the airport notwithstanding.

An enviable 14 Masterclasses were organised during the 3 days of the Show that attracted around 6000 people despite the Covid scare, even though Covid norms were being followed as strictly as humanly possible. The Masterclasses started with a big bang with Grover Zampa presenting the yet-to-be launched Signet series of red wines that had their genesis in the erstwhile Insignia Shiraz launched in 2016 at their Bangalore winery.

This was followed by an equally powerful Keynote Address by Rajeev Samant, the dynamic Founder CEO of Sula who took us through the Indian wine industry through Covid time but was very positive for the next 3 years.

All the Masterclasses curated by the Conference Chairman Subhash Arora were well attended with a full house in almost all of them and many people waiting and listening from outside the Masterclass area. It had been erected only with a one-meter-high separators so people passing by could also watch the activities and listen in but no wine glass was allowed to leave this area. It is perhaps a matter of pride that in each of the Masterclasses relevant wine of at least some wine was served.

Uncertainty over Covid did cast its ugly shadow in the form of lesser than expected participation and presence but the organisers did everything to keep every attendee safe from Covid. Over 18,000 people had registered for both SIAL India and Vinexpo India but there were an estimated 6000 people attending the Show.

The general impression was that the wines had smaller than expected presence but the masterclasses were very impressive. For the first time, fruit wines could walk in sync with the grape wines. Riedel had been the impressive Wine Glass partner whereas gourmet canned water from Himalayas- Responsible Whatr was provided constantly to those attending the conferences, along with cheeses and breads. This had been factored in by the French and the Indian partners for whom it was really a trial run.

On to Mumbai on 10-12 May, 2022

Apparently, they have bigger things planned for Vinexpo India and took no time to announce on December 9 that it would be planned on 10-12 May, 2022 at the Bombay Exhibition Center in Goregaon where the excise restrictions don’t put you in a straitjacket.

We wish the organizers big success. This is after a long time that an international wine show has come to Delhi and HOW!! It can only get bigger and better.

If you have any queries about the Show or participation, please write to vinexpoindia@delwine.com and pencil in the dates. Our next edition of delWine will focus on the 3 days of this prestigious event in Delhi.

Subhash Arora

Advisor, Vinexpo India

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