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WBWE returns to Amsterdam for 16th annual exhibition
Vinexposium is hosting the 16th annual World Bulk Wine Exhibition (WBWE) at the Rai Amsterdam exhibition centre next week, from 25-26 November.
Since 2009, the WBWE has helped structure the bulk wine market. This year, hosted by Vinexposium at the Rai Amsterdam exhibition centre from 25-26 November, the 16th annual convention embraces a broad choice of products ranging from entry-level to high-end wines and spirits, offering an extensive line-up for the trade.
The 2024 exhibition is expected to welcome more than 2,500 international visitors, including top buyers and distributors and will be attended by 245 exhibitors from 25 countries.
The exhibition provides a unique platform for showcasing bulk wines and spirits. It features various products, including appellation wines (AOC), fortified wines, organic wines, aromatised wines like vermouth, brandies, no-alcohol and low-alcohol beverages, and high-end spirits. WBWE serves as a stage for various stakeholders, including wine estates, distilleries, bulk specialists, and customised logistics and technical solutions suppliers.
The 2024 exhibition highlights include an innovative silent tasting room: this is a free-pour tasting area that has become a prominent feature over the past few years. Accessible throughout the day, the area offers visitors a chance to taste wines at their leisure and access key information about the products on display. Some of the offerings this year include wines awarded at the International Bulk Wine Competition (IBWC) held a day before the exhibition.
This year, the Academy programme will be a focal point, featuring masterclasses and conferences highlighting the latest trends in bulk wines and spirits. Key discussion topics will include the carbon footprint at the production level, environmentally-friendly packaging alternatives, product sustainability, and the growing demand for alcohol-free and low-alcohol wines.
Response to changes in the industry
The quality bulk wine market shows signs of growth, underpinned by rising imports in key markets like the UK, which saw an 8.5% increase, 21% in China, and 6% in the US. The trend also benefits large exporter countries such as France and Spain, fuelling a resurgence within the industry.
The growth of the hospitality sector, particularly in the US, is driven by the adoption of convenient packaging formats like bag-in-boxes, cans, and kegs. Bars, restaurants, and discotheques increasingly serve wine in bulk, lowering costs and reducing the environmental impact of glass bottles. High-end brands are also expanding their bulk wine and spirit offerings, catering to sustainability-conscious consumers.
The WBWE responds to increased demand for more environmentally friendly alternatives by showcasing products and solutions that lower packaging’s environmental footprint and optimise logistics costs.
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