The big white wine program in Paris that goes under the name White wine Paris – VinExpo is closing its doors as I compose this. It is one of the world’s most significant wine programs, in competitors with Vinitaly in Verona and ProWein in Düsseldorf. Signals are flashing green. It seems to have actually been a fantastic success.
3 years back, in 2019, the first edition of Wine Paris happened in the French capital. It was an odd constellation of 3 brands, Vinisud (a long-established and successful show for “southern” red wines) that had gone up from the south of France, Vinovision, which was a freshly created showcase for “northern” red wines, both under the umbrella brand of Red wine Paris. It felt confused, lacking a clear identity.
White wine Paris-Vinexpo 2022, copyright BKWine Photography
BKWine Photography
At the exact same time, Vinexpo started to feel a bit tired. Was it becoming too regional? Just for the big French brand names, for the French customers? I did not go there regularly, but when I existed, it felt like a display for huge brand names, for those who had millions in marketing budget plans and not really for those interested in white wines of a more personal designs or household domains (which was Vinisud’s strong point). So in 2019, Vinexpo had its last Bordeaux edition and decided to leave its home in Bordeaux and go up to Paris.
This led to that the following year, in 2020, two big French shows (Red wine Paris/Vinisud and Vinexpo) were both preparing to be in Paris, on dates near each other, just a few weeks apart. Crazy. Two red wine programs in Paris in close succession … They quickly realised that this would never work, so they joined forces and made a joint show: White wine Paris-VinExpo 2020.
It worked, but not very well– speaking from a visitor’s/ journalist’s perspective. Disjointed. 2 shows in one, with a confusing identity. Family businesses with white wines of character at one end, gigantic white wine and spirits groups with glitter brand names at the other end. And what was truly the name of the show? On top of that came covid, simply beginning in February 2020. The Chinese stand at the show was empty. China had actually closed. But the program still took place.
An empty Chinese stand at Wine Paris-Vinexpo 2020, copyright BKWine Photography
BKWine Photography
In 2021 it did not occur. There was no Red wine Paris. The pandemic had actually put a stop to all such occasions.
Comes 2022.
It was long uncertain– or a minimum of it felt so to us and to many exhibitors– if there would be a Red wine Paris in 2022. How quickly would France open to larger events like this? Quick enough, as it were. Wine Paris– Vinexpo 2022 did occur, has just happened.
Now, after the program’s last day, it seems to have actually been an excellent success.
Britt and I invested all three days at the program and asked everyone we met, “how has it been for you?”
The reaction has actually been quite overwhelming. Yes, there were less visitors. Yes, there were fewer exhibitors. However there are still smiles all around (a minimum of practically all over).
Among the well-filled halls at White wine Paris-Vinexpo 2022, copyright BKWine Photography
BKWine Photography
The unanimous response is, “we are so happy that it has actually taken place; that almost in itself makes it a success.” Some people state, “we have seen fewer visitors here this year than we performed in 2021”, but then they follow up with “, however it is far more than we had expected, or feared, so it’s been a great program for us.”
Travel is still a challenge, particularly for overseas visitors. As one of the exhibitors we talked to stated, “we didn’t expect to see any Americans at all. But we have had some that have actually managed to come here. No Chinese, of course. However there have been people from other parts of Asia and practically all over the world”. We also had the occasion to meet with some individuals from Ukraine, that we wished all the best. However the majority of the visitors were from Europe.
When we spoke to reporters checking out the program, the reactions have actually been similar. “There are plainly less crowds here this year. However that’s great. You don’t need to combat your method to the stands and elbow forward to have a chance to talk with the wine manufacturers.” That definitely makes it a much more productive program for the media.
An excellent number of visitors but not crowded at the stands at Wine Paris 2022, copyright BKWine … [+]
BKWine Photography
We have actually not yet received the final count of visitors (or exhibitors), however whatever the numbers will reveal, it seemed both visitors and exhibitors thought that it was much better than anticipated.
The program also feels a lot more coherent than the previous variation. You may have seen that I generally state “Red wine Paris”, although the complete name is Wine Paris Vinexpo. It seemed like one program now, not two glued together (although there was a bling-bling section with the high-end brand names, for those who truly want it). Possibly next year it will simply be Wine Paris? Will this be the brand-new international leader in white wine programs? Perhaps. We’ll see in 2023.
For us personally, Wine Paris has been outstanding. Thanks to the time we might invest with some of the producers, we have gathered material for numerous future posts. We had the possibility to go through in information the full series of some amazing champagne manufacturers that will feed into the second edition of our huge book on Champagne and the Champagne growers. And most importantly, we have actually stated hey there face-to-face to many individuals that we have not seen at all for 2 or three years.
Yes, Wine Paris 2022 seems like the start of the return to (the brand-new) typical for the wine organization.
The next Wine Paris will be on February 13-15, 2023 (regrettably for us, because we anticipate to be visiting the South African vineyards at that time).
— Per Karlsson