‘Caviar battle’ due to feature at Vinexpo Paris 2020

The organisers of Vinexpo Paris have released further details of the events due to take place at the 2020 show in February, including a caviar pairing ‘battle’.

In conjunction with the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale, Vinexpo Paris will be hosting a competition featuring three top sommeliers, who will be tasked with finding the best pairing for caviar. Trade show attendees are invited to judge which is the most successful.

In addition, Marc Almert, voted the 2019 ASI World’s Best Sommelier, will be hosting a masterclass where visitors are invited to test their blind tasting skills on 10 wines from producers exhibiting at the show.

Also featuring at the show will be a masterclass by data analyst IWSR on the major trends within the wine and spirits industries, including statistics on consumption patterns in key markets.

Vinexpo has also revealed further details of its Be Spirits concept, an area dedicated to spirits and mixology due to debut at the February show.

Described as an event within an event, Be Spirits will welcome all professionals from the spirits industry including importers, distributors, buyers, journalists, bloggers, e-commerce brands, travel retail, restaurant chains and duty free stores.

Among the event features is the Infinite Bar – a 50-metre long bar, showcasing 24 spirits brands and 24 mixologists from top Paris bars.

Also on offer will be a series of conferences, led by industry experts include consultant and writer Alexandre Vingtier, distillery owners and barmen, and covering the latest trends within the industry grouped under two themes: ‘Be Mixology’ and ‘Be Brand’.

Among those taking part will be bar manager at the Solera bar in Paris Christopher Gaglione, owner of Café Moderne in Paris Mido Yahi and founder of the Distillery of Paris, Nicolas Julhès.

The events under the theme of Be Mixology include market trends and key issues; the no / low-alcohol trend, consumer experience and bar identity. The Be Brand theme, meanwhile, will cover topics including the revival of vintage spirits, commitment to sustainability and the environment, and customised spirits.

Vinexpo Paris and Wine Paris will be held jointly from 10-12 February 2020 at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, where 2,800 exhibitors and 30,000 trade members are due to descend on the French capital at a key moment in the buying calendar.