With this 5th edition, is Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris (sic!) approaching maturity? In 2023, 36,334 visitors went there. This year, the objective is set at 40,000. As for the exhibitors, there will be more than 4000 (compared to 3400 last year). We are still far from the 5,700 exhibitors (2022 figure) at the ProWein in Düsseldorf which will be held at the beginning of March. Without falling into primary chauvinism, we still find it difficult to swallow that the first world wine fair is being held among our German friends – beer lovers – instead of the City of Lights which has been drinking wine for 2000 years… Without forgetting the 17 billion euros of trade surplus.
An anomaly and the illustration of the French impossibility of playing as a group. Because without the rivalries and political chicanery between the Bordeaux Vinexpo, dear to Alain Juppé, and the Vinisud of Languedoc, a wine fair in Paris should have existed for a long time. There also remains this long, redundant name that the organizers have no plans to change.
But the shift seems to be underway. In terms of approval, costs, compared to Paris or even the efficiency of the Expo center at Porte de Versailles ( Paris 15th), trhe French capital wins.” Jean-Marc Charpentier, who produces the eponymous organic champagne, is of the same opinion: “What is the benefit of a buyer of French wines in going to Düsseldorf? On the other hand, to reach foreign customers, ProWein still holds the rope. So, even if it hurts our finances, we have to go but perhaps not for long..” Others have now taken the plunge. “We went there for three years. This year, we’re only doing Paris. The Paris dates are more strategic and the city has a tradition of hosting with prices all year round, which is not the case in Düsserldorf where prices increase significantly during the week of the Show. » argues Laurent Cisneros, from Chateau de Rouillac in Pessac Leognan.
In short, it seems that this year the balance is really tipping towards Paris. First, with the Americans, the second country for the origin of visitors. These are good prospects coming from a rather…prosperous economy – which is rather rare on the planet at the moment. Other positive signs are Italy which will occupy a hall and Spain half a hall. Better still, it seems that there are more German producers in Paris than in Düsserldorf.
On the French side, the emphasis on luxury wines in line with market developments seems out of step with the slump in certain vineyards – Côtes du Rhône or Bordeaux, where the vats are full and the bulk price is lower than the cost price. . “In spring in the Côtes du Rhône, many vines will not be pruned. It will become complicated in the months to come…We will go to the show but with the sinking feeling in our stomachs of not being able to get a few sales.” explains Raphaël Knapp of Château la Borie, president of the Côtes du Rhône Villages Suze-la-Rousse appellation.
In fact, alongside wines, the Show does not fail to highlight new trends, starting with spirits with “Be Spirits” whose stand surface area has increased by 25%. Or even in the segment of drinks without or with low alcohol content. Will this make us forget the drop in consumption and the decline of wine which, even in France, bows to beer. Which makes you wonder if in a few years this show will not take the name Drink Expo. At least it will simplify its name.
Practical information about the event.
Monday February 12 | from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday February 13 | from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday February 14 | from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
ADDRESS
Paris Expo Porte de Versailles1 place de la Porte de Versailles – 75015 Paris
ACCESS
Metro: line 12, Porte de Versailles station or line 8, Balard station
Tramway: t2 and t3a, Porte de Versailles station – Exhibition center
Bus: line 80 (Porte de Versailles – Parc des expositions station) and line 39 (Desnouettes station)
Bike: vélib’ station avenue Ernest Renan
