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| London Wine Fair |
| By Rajiv Singhal |
| I first attended the London International Wine Fair, the UK's largest wines and spirits event at ExCel near the Docklands in 2010, when I managed the first ever official presence of India under a newly created banner "Wines of India" |
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| In 2014, the organisers Brintex decided that in line with the development of the international wine business, several "fundamental alterations" were to be made to deliver a "cultural transformation". The Fair would specialise in the needs of specific markets i.e. United Kingdom and Ireland – International would be dropped from the name, and the fair would henceforth be domiciled at Olympia in Central London – a huge span of iron and glass that was built in 1886 as the National Agricultural Hall. |
| The 35th edition of the London Wine Fair opened with over 670 exhibitors in the Grand Hall, West Hall and the entire upper Gallery level. They vied for the attention of the 11,668 strictly trade visitors. Ross Carter, the show director, said that the real test was to build on the buzz and make the London Wine Fair the must-attend event. |
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The Grand Hall |
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| Like any other show, LWF had an extensive programme of seminars and tutored tastings delivered by industry experts. "Wine Grapes" was a special tasting feature, co-authored by Jancis Robinson MW, Julia Harding MW and Dr José Vouillamoz. Focussed on two grape varieties – one well-known and widely planted, the other less so; one red and one white. The hero varieties chosen in 2015 were Syrah and Grüner Veltliner. 70 Syrah and 30 Grüner Veltliner (all selected from exhibitors) were showcased at a tasting and live judging by the International Wine & Spirits Competition. A masterclass to explore the origins and parentage, revealed a genetic relative – the extremely rare Dureza – Syrah's recently rescued parent, from Pascal Jamet. |
| It was the 'curiosities' – interactive and informative areas to highlight innovation, education and creative thinking – that caught my interest. |
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Esoterica |
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| Esoterica: A celebration of the rare, of the diversity of the market, and of the wine world by 68 specialist boutique importers who presented their selections on table-tops. The area was buzzing with interest from
independent retailers and sommeliers.
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| Wines Unearthed: A feature that was added this year, this was a dedicated area for export ready producers who have no importer in the UK. |
| The View Tastings: Premium and super-premium wines retailing over £30 were presented exclusively for the fine wine buyers in the area planned in association with Octavian, the fine wine cellarers. Alongside the daily pop-up fine wine tastings with Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux, CCI Bourgogne and the Wines of New Zealand were on show. |
| Some interesting wines. |
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A Tinto Historico (blend of Malbec and Petit Verdot) from Mendoza by Bibendum plc. |
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PWTPT (Pingus Without the Price Tag) priced at £14 – a Tempranillo from Ribero del Duero by Humble Grape. |
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Champagne Taittinger launched the new Taittinger Nocturne Rosé Sec NV at Hatch Mansfield. |
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India was also present at the London Wine Fair. Sula Vineyards at Hallgarten Druitt and Grover Zampa presented by Character Wines. |
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| The move to central London created the opportunity for the London Wine Fair to build on the sense of community around the show, and interest more trade to attend. The specially curated London Wine Week welcomed consumers to bespoke partner events – the heritage of Nyetimber or the versatility of Chenin or the Wines of Portugal Discovery Bar. |
| Engaging and productive – what the fair has lost on size, it has gained multi-fold on focus. |
| Rajiv Singhal travelled to London to be able to share his experience of the London Wine Fair with you. Please share any feedback with vino india info@vinoindia.in |
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