Vinexpo New York to explore more cannabis, less alcohol

Vinexpo New York, scheduled for March 2-3 at the Jacob Javits Center, is promising “a provocative program that explores the biggest trends and challenges shaping the wine and spirits industry,” including sessions on the “health halo” around low or no alcoholic beverages, the impact of cannabis on the industry and what it calls “a deep dive into Cognac.”

Now in its third consecutive year, the trade and educational event, which is not open to the public, will continue pre-registration for $100 through March 1 with onsite registration going for $150. Founded in1981 in Bordeaux, Vinexpo also currently runs exhibitions in that city and Hong Kong and has its Paris debut next Monday, February 10.

Online registration begins February 10 for “One to Wine” pre-arranged meetings connecting buyers and exhibitors in New York.

Among the conference highlights are:

• A presentation on how cannabis trends are impacting the alcoholic beverages industry,
• A panel discussion on how campaigns promoting low or no alcohol drinks are using the “health halo” to achieve those objectives,
• A panel discussion on the changing nature of the wine retail trade with industry leaders Christian Navarro of Wally’s Wine & Spirits, Michael Osborn of Wine.com, Robert Trone of Total Wine & More and Gary Fisch of Gary’s Wine & Marketplace,
• A presentation by IWSR Drinks Market Analysis on U.S. and global trends in alcoholic beverages.
• A Cognac master class sponsored by the Agence de l’Alimentation Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Cognac and
• A Sonoma County Winegrowers presentation on sustainability.

A new feature this year will be The Buzz, a dedicated but informal space for information sharing. Also in the planning are two master class presentations sponsored by Riedel and a presentation on the new Crus Bourgeois du Medoc classification.

More information is available at www.vinexponewyork.com