Vinisud 2016 hailed a success

The 2016 incarnation of Vinisud has been proclaimed a success with a 3% increase in visitor numbers.

Vinisud 2016; photo credit: Alian Reynaud

The Mediterranean wine-focused event was held from 15-17 February and attracted 31,867 visitors, an increase of 3% on last year’s figures according to organisers. Just over 30% of visitors, 9,784, were non-French.

The event’s organisers said in a statement: “This increase in visitor attendance reflects the organisers’ intention of securing consistent, controlled growth for the show with the quality of visitors their focal point. Attendance by quality buyers ensured business was brisk throughout the duration of the show for all of the participating producer regions, as echoed in the positive comments voiced in the different halls.”

Speaking to the drinks business, Patrick Lachaux, commercial director for Domaine Paul Mas, said the exhibition had gone “very well” with the make-up of visitors changing over the three days with “lots” of French on Monday, a mix of French and non-French on Tuesday and more non-French on the Wednesday.

Anne Gros, who was exhibiting her Minervois wines with husband Jean-Paul Tollot, said they had received “fewer visitors but better”. She also noted that while they had had several non-French visitors coming by the stand, not many had been from the UK or US.

Organisers pointed out the success of a number of initiatives such as the ‘Sparkling Zone’, which turned a spotlight on fizz from France, Spain and Italy, and ‘Wine Mosaic’ which allowed visitors to taste an array of rare and unusual Mediterranean grape varieties.

The show also hosted a number of events such as the Sud de France Sommelerie Challenge which was won by Edmond Gasser (from Le Chat Botté in Geneva) and Gabriel Angermaier (from Jérôme Nutile in Nîmes) and The Wine Tourist of the Year Award which was won by the Iter Vitis France association.

A natural cork collection initiative held by the cork industry and France Cancer also collected over 50,000 corks over the three days.

Next year’s Vinisud will be held in Montpellier from 20-22 February.