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| Vinexpo Bordeaux 2017: A Sizzling Show |
| Rajiv Singhal |
| 2017 – that alternate “odd” year where international wine community converge on Bordeaux for the “mecca” of wines and spirits – Vinexpo Bordeaux. In its 19th edition, the world’s leading wines and spirits exhibition, was shorter and most definitely “hotter”. So hot, that the Chief Executive of Vinexpo, Guillaume Deglise, had his mind made that the next edition would have to tackle these extra-ordinarily warm weather conditions. |
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Crowds throng Vinexpo Bordeaux |
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| The 4-day exhibition (down from the 5-day in previous editions) brought 2,350 trade exhibitors face-to-face with 48,500 international visitors. More than 80 talks and tastings at the Bordeaux Exhibition Centre were complemented by the famed dinners at the iconic chateaux in the region – Vinexpo Bordeaux is the excuse for the Bordelais to showcase their wines and hospitality. |
| François-Henri Pinault, Chairman of Artémis, opened the doors of Chateau Latour in honour of the international press at the Conseil des Grands Crus Classés en 1855 Médoc et Sauternes dinner. And Famille Bernard welcomed friends to Domaine de Chevalier for the 16th Tour de France des Appellations. La Cité du Vin welcomed its first Vinexpo in Bordeaux with a special nocturnal opening. |
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France’s Minister for Agriculture, Jacques Mezard, and Mayor of Bordeaux, Alain Juppe
at the inauguration |
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| “A Taste of Spain” was organized at the magnificent Palais de la Bourse on the waterfront for the this year’s Country of Honour, Spain. Reputed wines were accompanied by tapas created by a dozen young chefs selected by Ferran Adrià and José Andrés. And at the expo, the rows of enomatic vends at the Spanish Pavillion were a huge draw. |
| The Joint Declaration to Protect Wine Place & Origin, a global alliance of premier wine regions that ensures wine place names are protected, welcomed three new members at a ceremony. Champagne, Barossa, Chianti Classico, McLaren Vale, Napa Valley, Porto and Texas poured their wines that represent a unique sense of place.
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| WOW – World of Organic Wines recognised the importance of special crafted bio-dynamic and organic wine. A special area had tastings for professionals passionate about sustainability complemented by organic food.
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Snapshots of the 4 day show |
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| Spotted Plavac Edivo, a Croatian wine that is kept in the depths of the Adriatic Sea for one to two years, and has a beautiful coral, shell, algae cover. The Champagne Lounge, presented by Winalia, showcased for different styles of different producers. A first-ever collective of the 22 houses under Moet Hennessey. The Union de Grands Cru des Bordeaux showed And the Digby by-the-glass wine dispenser with web interface to control serving temperature. |
| Among international wine fairs, it is widely believed that the top honours that Vinexpo Bordeaux has held for decades has been challenged by Prowein in Germany. Having had the opportunity to be at both this year, I’m not sure – but that’s another story. 2018 is the year of Vinexpo Hong Kong, Vinexpo Tokyo and Vinexpo New York.
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| Rajiv Singhal regularly attends Vinexpo in Bordeaux, a city he regrets not exploring outside the exhibition centre. A group company of vino india manages the mobilization of Indian visitors for Vinexpo. |
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