London Wine Fair puts industry challenges at centre of event

The London Wine Fair has revealed its timetable of industry briefings, masterclasses and seminars ahead of this year’s show.

It features five areas that will host sessions, including the centre stage, the masterclass theatre, a walk-up tastings area, and an education zone. In addition there is a Mentzendorff on-stand theatre, which will hold events for the first time this year.

According to the organisers, the content across the areas will “reflect a broad spectrum of themes”, and will include “the most pressing issues”.

The discussion will include how the wine trade can benefit rom technology, sessions on the impact of climate change, and old vine tasting, amongst other opportunities.

WSTA

Key events include chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, Miles Beale, delivering a “state of the nation” briefing on Tuesday, 22 May at 10:15am.

His speech will look back at how the current government’s agenda has affected the UK wine industry and sets out what he would like to see from an incoming government.

It also also include a “wide-ranging” question and answer session with WSTA regulatory and commercial affairs director David Richardson, and Simon Stannard, the association’s director of policy.

Commenting on the briefing, Beale said: “The London Wine Fair gives us a great opportunity to look back and gauge the impact of what has been a turbulent few months for the wine industry, but also to look ahead at what is coming next.

“We will be dealing with a new Government, with a new agenda and the landscape will inevitably change again. We are looking forward to engaging with the trade in our Q&A session to help businesses plan for the future.”

Sessions

Other sessions include viticulture for future generations – understanding the benefits of regenerative practices, on Wednesday at 2pm on the centre stage. Hosted by the Regenerative Viticulture Foundation, this debate will discuss how (and why) to monitor and improve vineyard health.

Also, an equity, diversity and inclusion session will also take place on the centre stage on Tuesday at 1130am, with the WSTA, WSET and The Drinks Trust coming together and aiming to create an industry-wide, industry-owned programme which delivers diversity, equity and culture change “at every level”.

Climate change will be discussed on Wednesday at mid-day in regards of how it is impacting Tempranillo. Bodegas Roda, who are at the forefront of research into Tempranillo, working together with the University of Rioja, will explore how to future proof the vineyard against climate change.

Premi DB

The news comes as the db Awards, now in its 22nd year, is open for entries, with the winners announced at the LWF on Tuesday, 22 May.

You can also view the list of categories and enter the awards here.

Dates

The London Wine Fair will take place at Olympia from 20 to 22 May. All sessions in the theatres are accessible to London Wine Fair ticket holders on a first come, first seated basis, it said.

Additionally, the masterclass theatre and the Mentzendorff Theatre, each have an allocation of seats that can be pre-booked by VIPs, MWs and MSs.

Pre-booking opens tomorrow (1 May).