Close Menu
Slideshow

18 wine and spirits trade shows that should be on your radar in 2020

Millésime Bio, Montpellier, France

When: 27-29 January

Millésime Bio, a trade show devoted to organic wine, is expecting to welcome over 1,300 organic wine producers from 22 countries, as well as 7,000 international buyers, to this year’s show. Now in its 27th edition, the event is organised by SudVinBio, the association for southern France’s organic winemakers.

The 2020 Millésime Bioevent will be its biggest yet, with a refreshed exhibition space and a new hall to allow room for an additional 100 exhibitors. Last year, the event included spirits, beers and ciders for the first time, and they are set to return again in 2020.

Patrick Guiraud, president of Millésime Bio, said: “It’s safe to say our fair is in very good shape, and continues to gather momentum. In 2020, we wanted to offer the opportunity for more exhibitors to take part. They’ve been quick to secure their stands and we’ve even had to open a waiting list in September.”

Recent research conducted by the trade show found that global organic wine consumption is on track to hit almost 1 billion bottles by 2023, more than doubling in a decade. The rapid rise of organic wine contrasts with the steady decline of overall wine consumption, and the desire to drink less, but better quality alcohol.

Pink Rosé Festival, Cannes, France

(Photo: Pink Rosé Festival)

When: 6-7 February

The only trade show dedicated entirely to rosé wines, the aptly named Pink Rosé Festival, was founded in 2017. Unlike most shows, Pink Rosé Festival doesn’t depend on producers taking a stand, but instead facilitates meaningful connections between producers and buyers by setting up one-to-one meetings.

On registration, each producer is given a minimum of 16 bespoke appointments with prospective buyers or producers, which last for 30 minutes each. The show itself is based around three main features: The Tasting Zone; The Masterclass Theatre; and The Pink Rosé Festival Awards – a ceremony that honours the stars of the rosé wine industry.

The fourth edition of the show will return to Cannes on 6 and 7 February, and organisers have developed two new areas to mark the milestone. The first is a roundtable on rosés made around the world. Hosted by Laurent Fiore and Valérie Astier, the organisers of the festival, the event will involve meetings in which producers will present the specific features of their rosés.

Attendees can then share their feedback and develop links with producers in the sector. Second, Pink Rosé Festival has forged a partnership with Guala Closures, in addition to its existing relationship with glass bottle manufacturer O-I. To celebrate the partnership, organisers have created a digital platform showcasing all the bottles that were entered into the design competition. This allows judges from around the world to vote without having to travel to Cannes, and lets producers see for themselves the importance of packaging and design.

Vinexpo Paris, France

When: 10-12 February

In May 2019, it was announced that Vinexpo was to join forces with Wine Paris to create one mega-show, catering to local and international wine buyers, importers and press. In February, the shows will be held simultaneously at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, where 2,800 exhibitors and 30,000 trade members are due to descend on the French capital at a key moment in the buying calendar.

This will be Vinexpo’s first show in the City of Light, and the event will now sit alongside others held in Bordeaux, Hong Kong, New York and Shanghai. Vinexpo Paris will be divided into three new areas: Wow! World of Organic Wines, dedicated to organic and biodynamic wines and spirits; L’Avenue, which centres on major brands; and Be Spirits, a new concept this year.

Be Spirits, an area dedicated to spirits and mixology, will feature the Infinite Bar – a 50 metre long bar, showcasing 24 spirits brands and 24 mixologists from top Paris bars. Also on offer will be a series of conferences led by industry experts including consultant and writer Alexandre Vingtier, distillery owners and bartenders, covering the latest trends in the industry, grouped under two themes: Be Mixology and Be Brand.

The discussions grouped under Be Mixology will provide an analysis of the current and future trends in the spirits world, including the rise of no- and low-ABV serves, the cocktail consumption experience, and bar identity. Be Brand meanwhile, will focus on topics including the revival of ancient alcohols, commitment to conserving the environment, and developing new spirits brands and customised products.

Wine Paris, Paris, France

 

When: 10-12 February

Wine Paris was established in 2019 with the merger of Vinisud, a show dedicated to wines from the Mediterranean, and VinoVision Paris, which featured cool climate wines from France.

Bringing together 13 French wine marketing boards, last year the show attracted over 2,000 producers from all of France’s major wine regions. As mentioned, Wine Paris now will be held simultaneously with Vinexpo Paris for the first time in the French capital. Among the new features at this year’s show will be three wine talks focusing on taste perception, organic and environmentally friendly initiatives and innovation.

In Hall 6, Wine Paris will also host a series of forward-looking debates centring on the future and challenges facing the French wine industry. Also new this year are six themed itineraries for those looking to achieve particular goals at the trade show. For example, one targets wine merchants wishing to develop retail listings, while another highlights producers with unusual grape varieties, allowing distributors to broaden their ranges.

Wine Paris has also introduced a networking app called Wine Match to maximise return on investment for all participants through pre-arranged appointments during the show. The aim is to encourage exhibitors and visitors to plan their appointments and engage with other individuals and businesses via the app. Commenting on this year’s show, Pascale Ferranti, director of Wine Paris, said: “On the back of the first event, which positioned Wine Paris as a major international wine trade exhibition, we will continue to develop this momentum and expand our audience.

An estimated 30,000 visitors are expected to attend, including 35% from outside France. “The synergy between Wine Paris and Vinexpo Paris is extremely stimulating and will be beneficial for the industry in the aggregate. Visitors will have a badge giving them access to both exhibitions and therefore to 2,800 exhibitors.”

Vinexpo New York, US

When: 2-3 March

Vinexpo is returning to New York for the third time this year, holding its two-day show in the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Organisers hope to build on what was achieved in 2019, a year that saw the event attract 400 exhibitors and 3,000 wine and spirits professionals – three quarters of whom were directly involved in wine purchasing.

Jointly organised with Diversified Communications, this year’s new features include an importer pavilion – a platform for showcasing wine and spirits portfolios to top buyers and decision makers from the US and Canada.

Also new is the key buyer programme, a scheme that offers “VIP perks” to high volume wine and spirits buyers from the industry’s top distributors and importers.

The VIP experience includes free entry to the exhibition hall, networking events, special events, ‘one to wine meetings’, conferences, and masterclasses. Mary Larkin, president of Diversified Communications – USA, said: “We’re excited to continue our partnership with Vinexpo and to once again bring its power to America.

The show provides wine and spirits producers from around the globe with an unequalled opportunity to showcase their products to the largest wine-consuming market in the world.

“This year, we’re introducing several new elements to the programme, including an Importer Pavilion and a Key Buyer Program – both significantly improving the experience for importers and buyers, with enhanced showcase platforms and exclusive perks.” Vinexpo CEO, Rodolphe Lameyse, added: “The strong results of the past two Vinexpo New York shows, and the early interest we are seeing from exhibitors for 2020, illustrates just how vital it has become in three short years to the international wine and spirits trade. The show remains the single best opportunity for US importers, distributors, sommeliers and other trade professionals to meet hundreds of international producers in one location.”

Raw Wine London, The Strand

When: 8-9 March

Raw Wine London is a two-day event dedicated to natural, organic and biodynamic wine, held on The Strand at the end of Raw Wine Week. With over 150 producers taking part, the event shines a spotlight on wines that are environmentally friendly and are made with low intervention in the cellar.

Consisting of tables manned by producers, Raw Wine London is open to members of the wine trade and press, and also to the general public. This year’s event will be held at The Store X on The Strand, a three-minute walk from Temple tube station. Raw Wine was established by Isabelle Legeron MW in 2012 to promote transparency in the wine world.

Legeron believes that any processing or additives that are used in the production process should always be clearly communicated to the consumer. As a result, Raw Wine lists all of these on its website and fair catalogue. Known for only drinking natural wines, which she believes are the world’s best, Legeron has written extensively on the topic, publishing Natural Wine: An introduction to organic and biodynamic wines made naturally in 2014. As well as London, she also oversees fairs in Montreal, New York, Los Angeles and Berlin.

ProWein, Düsseldorf, Germany

More than 6,800 exhibitors from 61 Nations showcase their products at ProWein each year.

When: 15-17 March

You never forget your first ProWein…

Entering its 26th year, trade calendar stalwart ProWein has consistently been the world’s largest trade fair, with 74,105 m2 of exhibition space. Welcoming 61,500 visitors and 6,900 exhibitors from 64 countries, each year it attracts industry professionals from far and wide to Düsseldorf. As well as wine, almost 400 spirits producers will also be exhibiting. Prowein’s ‘Same But Different’ exhibition will be returning in 2020, featuring more than 120 craft spirit, beer and cider producers from 24 countries. Also set to make a reappearance is the show’s long-running Champagne Lounge, home to almost 50 Champagne makers, and the Organic World, which will showcase over 40 different exhibitors.

New this year is a collaboration with wine data specialist Bottlebooks. Exhibitors can choose to enter their wines, spirits, craft beers and ciders into an online database ahead of the event. This makes it easier for visitors to search the database for products they are particularly looking to target.

The 2020 show will also focus on climate change and the increasingly disruptive role it plays in the wine industry. During the event, ProWein trend scouts Stuart Pigott and Paula Redes Sidore will provide insights into how the industry is reacting and coping with the conditions. The pair will host moderated tastings on the Sunday and Monday of the show at the forum in hall 10. Climate change will also feature heavily in the third edition of ProWein’s business report, published in co-operation with Geisenheim University.

Simone Loose, director of the institute in Geisenheim, will present key insights from the business report at the show. Bastian Mingers, director of Prowein, said: “With almost every kind of relevant product represented, Prowein is the world’s largest order platform for this field. Just as importantly, it offers an indispensable range of networking opportunities for the entire spectrum of players in the wine and spirits industry. “ProWein showcases the most diverse selection of wines in the world. Having tools to navigate that complexity is important to a successful visit. “Partnering with Bottlebooks enables us to have an efficient process for exhibitors to upload their content to our new website and app.”

ProWine Asia, Singapore

When: 31 March – 3 April

ProWine Asia, a four-day trade show held in Singapore, is returning for its third edition in 2020. Due to feature 300 exhibitors from 30 different countries and regions, including 15 country pavilions, the fair hopes to capitalise on rising interest in and consumption of wine and spirits in the region.

In 2018, the ProWein Business report found that Singapore was the market with the highest potential for the growth of European and North American wine and spirits. Having surveyed over 2,300 members of the industry from 46 countries, the report also found that six southeast Asian countries were in the top 10 emerging sales markets. It is for this reason that it has been chosen as the location for this event, complementing shows held in Germany and China.

Highlights this year include curated experiences and itineraries designed for trade visitors to help them prioritise the products they are interested in. There will also be a line-up of tasting sessions, masterclasses, workshops and seminars on topics from marketing and millennials to understanding regulations in southeast Asia and private labelling.

Beattrice J Ho, project director at Messe Düsseldorf Asia, joint organiser of ProWine Asia 2020, said: “Having been in the market for the past two editions of the fair and now into its third, it is essential for us to keep our ear to the ground, especially as Singapore grows in momentum to becoming the wine hub of the region and gateway to other southeast Asian markets. “To this end, with ProWine Asia growing from strength to strength, backed by strong demand and interest, we are pleased to unveil an industry-tailored programming at our 2020 edition – aimed to encourage producers and retailers to engage in deep conversations, discuss market demands and needs, and forge new networks.”

The Wine and Spirits Show, London

When: 3-4 April

After two sell-out shows in 2019 and 2018, The Wine and Spirits Show is returning to The Royal Horseguards Hotel in London. The Wine and Spirits Show is organised by the drinks business and The Spirits Business teams, and welcomes more than 1,500 members of the trade and public each year. As before, the event will have a separate wine and spirit halls. Returning to the Wine Hall in 2020 will be the Global Masters Zone, a stand showcasing medal-winning wines judged by Masters of Wine in the Global Masters competitions, which are run by the drinks business.

Likewise in the Spirits Hall, there will be section devoted to medal winners from The Spirits Masters competitions. Run by The Spirits Business, the competitions are divided into categories including vodka, Tequila, Bourbon, whisky and gin. Both halls will have a New Products Zone, an area dedicated to the latest wine and spirits launches reflecting the emerging trends in the drinks industry.

Attendees have the chance to taste and vote for their favourite. Beer lovers will not be disappointed because a stand will also be showcasing the high achievers in the Global Beer Masters, run by the drinks business team. With each ticket, guests receive a complimentary Gin & Tonic of their choice at the G&T bar, while they can also purchase food from a selection of carefully curated exhibitors. The organisers will also be bringing back the successful masterclass series, which in the past has covered topics from Champagne and fine wine through to the ‘defining drinks of the decade’ and the success of Coravin. The 2020 masterclass schedule will be released a few weeks before the show.

Vinitaly, Verona, Italy

When: 19-22 April

After celebrating its largest ever show in 2019, Italian trade show Vinitaly is returning to the city of Verona this year for its 54th edition. The four-day trade show welcomed 4,600 companies from 35 countries and recorded 33,000 trade attendees and a total of 125,000 visitors last year, including those that took part in Vinitaly and the City. Last year, organiser Veronafiere introduced the Taste and Buy matching service to facilitate meetings on stands.

Giovanni Mantovani, CEO of Veronafiere, said the business matching was part of a number of initiatives designed to make business flow more smoothly, from the dedicated app and multi-lingual portal, to new geolocation in the exhibition halls. Last year also saw the launch of the Organic Hall, designed to boost the reach of sustainable, organic, biodynamic and natural wines, and The Vinitaly Design Show, which featured products designed for wine tasting and service, including furniture for wine cellars, wine bars and restaurants and bespoke packaging.

Also a highlight of the show is Vinitaly and the City, a concept first brought to life in 2016. Combining wine, culture, meetings and entertainment, pop-up stalls and events are held in the squares of Verona throughout the duration of Vinitaly.

Last year the event attracted almost 80,000 people to Verona and the nearby provincial towns of Bardolino, Valeggio sul Mincio and Soave. Also new to the Vinitaly stable this year is a Chinese trade show called Wine to Asia, a collaboration between Vinitaly organiser Veronafiere and China’s Paco Communication Group. The show is expecting over 400 exhibitors and will be held for the first time in Shenzhen from 9 -11 November 2020.

TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference, Singapore

When: 10-14 May

Celebrating its 25th event this year, the Tax Free World Association’s Asia exhibition is the first of two to be held in 2020. The Asia Pacific Exhibition in Singapore is the sister event to the flagship show in Cannes, and both target the travel retail sector. From 2017 onwards, ferry and cruise operators have also been included in the TFWA line-up, as well as over 60 airports and airlines. In 2019, the show attracted almost 3,400 visitors, up by 5% on the previous year.

A total of 1,426 companies also exhibited at the event, a 10.5% rise since 2018. The TFWA operates a meeting service called TFWA One2One, offering potential drinks buyers the chance to link up with businesses.

With over 11,000 sq m of floor space, the TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference allows visitors to network and strengthen existing relationships in the Asia Pacific region, the world’s largest duty free and travel retail market.

A conference schedule featuring the latest trends and opportunities for the industry will be published nearer to the event. The programme also includes networking events, such as a golf tournament and Singapore Swing events.

London Wine Fair, Olympia London

(Photo: Anthony Upton/London Wine Fair)

When: 18-20 May

In 2020, the London Wine Fair will mark its 40th anniversary. To celebrate this landmark year, the organisers of the event have devised several new initiatives to refresh the look and feel of the show.

Speaking last year, the show’s organiser, Hannah Tovey, said that he London Wine Fair was in “an extremely healthy position” leading up to 2020, with the visitor count rising by 9% since 2017.

Among the new projects marking this milestone year will be a shiny new competition for the UK wine trade, called the Wine Buyers Awards. Run in partnership with the drinks business, the awards include six categories, including Supermarket & Multiple Retailer Buyer Award; Online Specialist Buyer Award; Independent Merchant Buyer Award; Restaurant Buyer Award; The Pub Buyer Award; and the Rising Star Buyer Award, which will recognise the achievements of those aged 35 years and under, operating in any of the five channels.

Immediately before the awards, LWF will host The Wine Buyers Conference, an hour-long event aimed at the next generation of senior buyers in the drinks trade, designed to inspire those wishing to embark on a buying role. On the Tuesday evening, LWF will team up with drinks industry charity The Benevolent for a party to celebrate achieving its fourth decade in business.

Organisers have also carried out further updates to the show’s design, with the Innovation Zone rebranded as the Discovery Zone. There will be a new section dedicated to sparkling wine, while the show will also feature significant collaborations with trade bodies including The Wine & Spirit Education Trust; Wine & Spirit Trade Association; International Wine & Spirit Competition; and The Wine Gang.

Vinexpo Hong Kong

When: 26-28 May

Vinexpo has confirmed that it will be holding its biannual Hong Kong show this year, after travelling to the territory and assessing the current climate, in light of months of politically motivated disruption. Due to be held in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, producers based in over 15 countries have already confirmed their attendance, including, for the first time, Uruguay. South American neighbour Chile is set to be the ‘country of honour’ at this year’s event, thanks to a partnership with industry body Wines of Chile.

Visitors to Vinexpo Hong Kong mostly hail, or are based in, China and Hong Kong. However, attendees from Taiwan, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia are also numerous, together forming the top 10 visitor countries at the show. Over 17,000 visitors are expected at this year’s event with organisers predicting another record show, after the 2018 edition received 10% more Chinese buyers than in 2016. Also returning in 2020 will be the WOW! World of Organic Wines – an area devoted to organic and biodynamic wines and spirits – as well as the complimentary One to Wine Meetings service.

TFWA World Exhibition & Conference, Cannes, France

When: 27 September – 2 October

Following an earlier show in Singapore, TFWA’s flagship event in Cannes on the French Riviera is dedicated to the global travel retail market. Featuring a week of networking, business and beach parties, the world exhibition and conference last year welcomed over 500 exhibitors including 65 making their debut at the show.

Last year, TFWA launched its Innovation Lab, showcasing the latest ideas and products from 28 “forward-facing” companies. Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair also took to the stage as the keynote speaker at the opening conference. The show has been growing in popularity year on year, breaking the 7,000 visitor barrier for the first time in 2018, with the exhibition space also given a similar boost, rising to over 22,500 sq m.

Other features include the TFWA Digital Village, introduced in 2017, which allows delegates to hear more about the latest technological advances. The show’s One2One meeting service also helps visitors plan private meetings with key players worldwide.

The Wine Show Chelsea, London

When: October (date TBC)

In 2019, the drinks business and The Spirits Business joined forces for the second time that year to re-launch The Wine Show Chelsea, a three-day whirlwind of tastings and masterclasses. Previously held in 2015 and 2016, The Wine Show Chelsea is a friendly, relaxed and informative drinks event, attracting over 2,000 wine lovers and 400 members of the drinks trade.

Held in Chelsea Old Town Hall on the King’s Road, the event is split into three halls. The main hall is dedicated to all things wine, the second to the Global Masters and Spirits Masters competitions, while the third is a masterclass theatre. Like The Wine & Spirits Show in April, The Wine Show Chelsea has a dedicated trade show session from 1pm to 5pm on the Friday, before opening to the general public in the evening.

Previous event attendees included tourism body Sud de France, Wines of Hungary, Graham’s Port and Symington Family Estates, distributor John E Fells, Californian wine giant E & J Gallo, the West London Wine School, fine wine merchant Petersham Cellars, and Italian wine group the Consorzio delle Venezie.

Last year’s masterclass topics were wide-ranging, from wines made by celebrities and a focus on Champagne Pol Roger, to challenging wine preconceptions and the history behind Australian wine producer Yalumba.

HKTDC International Wine & Spirits Fair, Hong Kong

When: 5-7 November

The HKTDC International Wine & Spirits Fair will return for its 13th edition in 2020. Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, last year the three-day extravaganza welcomed over 1,000 exhibitors from 30 countries, and more than 15,000 members of the trade from 70 countries, with increasing numbers from the Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, Cambodia, Korea and Vietnam.

The show is also open to members of the public over the weekend, and last year attracted 21,000 wine lovers from the surrounding region. Previous exhibitors have included France’s Auchan, Russia’s Wine Shopper, Spain’s Caldos Extremenos, Uruguay’s Los Dominguez, Japan’s Daimaru Department Store and Japan Craft Saké Company Co Ltd, Korea’s Shinsegae Liquor & Beverage, Singapore’s Underground Wines, Mainland China’s Netease Yanxuan and Long Vision Global International.

With Hong Kong regarded as a gateway to mainland China and other Asian markets, it is no surprise that last year the event attracted new exhibitors from Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine and Vietnam. As well as wine and spirits, organisers have also upped the focus on craft beer, owing to its surging popularity in Hong Kong. Beers were also on show from Ukraine, Italy and Japan in the Beer Zone.

ProWine China, Shanghai

When: 10-12 November

Now in its eighth year, ProWine China will be returning to Shanghai in 2020. According to the organisers, last year’s show was its biggest yet, attracting 820 exhibitors from 37 countries, with a 10% rise in exhibition space. A total of 20,640 trade visitors also attended the three-day event, an 8% rise on the figure recorded in 2018.

The show welcomed 121 companies from France and exhibitor groups from countries including Italy, Spain, Australia, Germany, the US, Austria and Chile. ProWine will be looking to build on last year’s success at the 2020 event, which is exclusively devoted to imported products.

Like other shows within the ProWine umbrella, ProWine China runs a popular masterclass series, holding over 40 last year. Among those taking part were Masters of Wine and Master Sommeliers including Fongyee Walker MW, Edward Ragg MW, Debra Meiburg MW, Sarah Heller MW, Cassidy Dart MW, Robert Geddes MW and Lu Yang MS.

World Bulk Wine Exhibition, Amsterdam

When: December (date TBC)

The last major trade show in the drinks calendar year, the World Bulk Wine Exhibition, will be returning to Amsterdam for its 12th edition in 2020. Last year saw the show welcomed over 450 producers from 24 countries. A total of 6,000 trade visitors from 60 countries were also in attendance.

Representing 80% of the global bulk wine supply market, the two-day event showcased major international players and smaller companies. Last year, producers hailed from dominant countries including Spain, France, Italy, Argentina, South Africa, Chile and Australia, as well as new market players such as Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria and Macedonia. Topics covered last year in seminars included the need for industry commitment to being greener, alternative packaging including cans and bag-in-box, and the art of blending wine.

It looks like you're in Asia, would you like to be redirected to the Drinks Business Asia edition?

Yes, take me to the Asia edition No