The Wine Show Chelsea in pictures

The Wine Show Chelsea closed its doors on Sunday, October 16, after a second successful year. Organised by the drinks business, the three day event, held in the Old Town Hall in Chelsea, attracted over 2,000 wine enthusiasts who were able to enjoy wines on pour from more than 500 wines on pour from 30 exhibitors, including db’s own Masters stand which showcased hundreds of medal-winning wines from this year’s Masters competitions.

A series of expert masterclasses were hosted by db’s editor-in-chief Patrick Schmitt MW, alongside Wines of Chile, Sherry Wines, Jeroboams and Champagne Pol Roger.

This year, for the first time, a beer zone was introduced which showcased brews that had won a medal in this year’s inaugural Drinks Business Global Masters Series. A gin and tonic stand, sponsored by premium tonic producer Franklin & Sons meanwhile offered guests bespoke G&Ts mixed with a selection of craft gins, with cheese on offer from Paxton and Whitfield and beer from Scottish brewer Harviestoun.

The show might have wrapped up for another year, but will be back next year for a third edition.

For now, here’s a pictorial roundup of the weekend’s festivities….

Jeroboams, “London’s local wine merchant”, was among the 30 exhibitors at the event, offering visitors a taste of the fine wines and Champagnes, from the classic to obscure, in its portfolio.

Guests were able to wander some 30 stands tastings wines and spirits from all corners of the world.

Chris Stoud, UK marketing manager for New Zealand Wine Growers, talks visitors through New Zealand’s diverse range of styles and terroirs.

No guest left empty handed, with our snazzy totes proving popular.

Chateau E’sclans shows off a jeroboam of its Whispering Angel rosé…

db’s editor-in-chief Patrick Schmitt MW leads a masterclass exploring seven Pinot Noir wines from around the world, giving attendees an introduction to one of the world’s most celebrated, sought-after and yet frustrating grapes.

The show ran for three days with a trade-only session on Friday afternoon followed by consumer sessions from Friday evening and throughout Saturday and Sunday.

Chez Antoine’s stand proved particularly popular, helped no doubt by the availability of Norwegian Hansen & Lyderson smoked salmon to pair with its Champagne Jean Moutardier and Maison Eyquard Grands Crus Classés wines from Saint Emilion.

Providing guests with platters of artisan cheese was Paxton and Whitfield, whose newest shop can be found in the heart of beautiful Chelsea Green. Established in 1797, the cheesemongers has been providing a range of artisan cheeses from Britain and the Continent, alongside charcuterie, pickles, scotch eggs and its famous pork pies, for over 200 years.

The event was held in the grand surroundings of the Old Town Chelsea Hall on London’s King’s Road.

Sherry Wines were on hand to introduce visitors to the wide array of Sherries, from Amontillado to Palo Cortado and Manzanilla, produced in Jerez to Sanlúcar de Barrameda.

Franklin & Sons’ stand offered guests bespoke gin and tonics using a selection of craft gins combined with its range of premium tonic and mixers, which are aimed at a “modern breed of discerning drinkers”.

First launched in December 2015, Franklin & Sons range of premium tonics and mixers are made with all-natural ingredients and include Sicilian lemon tonic, natural indian tonic, natural light tonic and a ginger ale.

Over at db’s stand, a blind tasting of four wines saw guests test their wine know how. Participants were tasked with attempting to guess where in the world a particular wine was from, and its grape, getting at least one answer correct, for the chance to be entered into a prize draw. Among the many that took on the challenge, there were a few star performers with one wine whizz correctly answering seven out of a possible eight responses correctly, identifying both the origin and grape of four wines.

Once again db hosted a tombola, this year in support of drinks trade charity The Benevolent, with guests entering for the chance to win a selection of top wines and spirits.

This year, for the first time, the drinks business introduced its Beer Zone. Manned by db’s Nuria Puertos, the spirits business’ event-co-ordinator, the stand showcased a selection of brews that had been awarded a medal in this year’s innagural Drinks Business Global Masters.

Scotland’s Harviestoun Brewery was also on hand to offer beer-loving guests a change of pace from the hundreds of wines on offer.

Rupert Millar, db’s fine wine editor, manned our Global Masters stand for much of the weekend, giving wine enthusiasts a mini masterclass on many of the wines on pour, all of which had won medal in at least one the the drinks business’ Global Masters competitions this year.

Thank you to everyone who exhibited, attended and supported this year’s show and made it the success that it was. We hope to see you all again next year!