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New sparkling wine trade fair opens in Paris
A new trade show dedicated entirely to sparkling wine has opened in Paris with the aim of making the French capital the heart of the sparkling wine trade.
The Bulles Expo will make its debut on June 20
Running from today until tomorrow (June 20-21) at the Parc Floral in Paris, Bulles Expo will see 130 exhibitors from France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Russia and Slovenia present their wines, with some 5,000 members of the trade expected to attend.
Described as the “groundbreaking event the industry has been waiting for”, the new event aims to help boost the international sparkling wine market.
Exhibitors include The Champagne growers’ organisation SGV and companies including Alfred Gratien, Emile Leclere, Bauser, André Roger and Pinot Chevauchet. The eight French Crémant appellations will also be represented by the National French Crémant Federation alongside Boisset, Veuve Ambal and Vitteaut Albert for Crémant de Bourgogne; Caves de Grenelle, Alliance Loire and Gratien Meyer (Henkell & Co) for the Loire; Benoît & Valérie Calvet for Bordeaux; and Domaine Paul Mas for Limoux.
Producers from both Italy and Spain – the second and fifth largest producers of fizz respectively – will also be strongly represented.
Masterclasses and guided tastings on the sparkling wine economy and exclusive presentations of several studies will also be on offer to help visitors learn more about the industry.
Among those scheduled to host masterclasses is Swedish sommelier Jon Arvid Rosengren, 2016’s World’s Best Sommelier, who will describe his fondness of Grower Sparkling Wines. Arvid Rosengren was recently awarded the title of 2016 World’s Best Sommelier in Mendoza and will host the session in partnership with the Champagne growers’ organisation, SGVC.
Former World’s Best Sommelier (1992) Philippe Faure-Brac will hold a tasting designed to ‘travel back in time with Chenin Blanc, the iconic Loire Valley grape variety’. Faure-Brac created the famed Bistrot du Sommelier in Paris and is considered one of the most influential sommeliers and leading figures of the French wine industry.
Maxime Hoelth, 2011 Meilleur Ouvrier de France and head barman at the Bristol hotel, will host a masterclass on sparkling wine-based cocktails.
A series of conferences will also be held with the aim of informing the trade on current trends within sparkling wine based on market analysis and consumption trends.
Nathalie Viet, founder of the Equonox agency, and Yves Legeand, chairman of the professional wine merchants’ organisation, will present a unique preview of the first study on distribution and promotion of sparkling wines in French wine stores.
La Champagne Viticole and Vitisphere will host a conference of economic and geopolitical resonance focusing on France, Italy, Germany and Spain – the four leading producer countries of Champagne and sparkling wines, with speakers including Pierre Emmanuel Taittinger, Francis Declerck, Claudia Nicoli and Maxime Blin.
The conference schedule will end on Tuesday with a session entitled, The global sparkling wine market: taking stock and reviewing trends, led by economic experts.
For more information on the show, a full schedule of planned events and to register your attendance click here.