Vinexpo Daily 2020 Paris - Preview Edition

I NEWS I
e-commerce conference at Vinexpo Bordeaux 2019
© Phil Labeguerie
TEST YOUR
TASTE BUDS AT
THE VINEXPO
CHALLENGE
The world's best sommelier will
host a fun event where show
attendees attempt to identify
wines.
VINEXPO Academy:
A platform where
wine professionals meet
and exchange views
Attendees at Vinexpo Paris will get the
chance to showcase their skills at identifying
wines during a fun blind-tasting event – and
none other than the man named as the
world’s best sommelier will play host.
Marc Almert, named in 2019 as Best
Sommelier of the World by the International
Sommelier Association (ASI), will host
the Vinexpo Challenge, in which wine and
spirits professionals try to identify the grape
variety, country of origin and vintage of the
wines they taste.
People at the show are being encouraged
to put themselves forward for this simple,
fun and rewarding event, which is part of the
Vinexpo Academy.
When it comes to top-level training in
the area of wines and spirits, Vinexpo
Academy offers professionals
and businesses unique learning
opportunities.
Visitors are able to acquire new skills thanks to
a comprehensive programme including a panel
of tastings, conferences and masterclasses
translated into several languages and moderated
by Masters of Wine, the Best Sommeliers of
the World (Association de la Sommellerie
Internationale) and great names in wines and
spirits.
Three major conferences will take place on
Monday February 10 th :
10:00 - IWSR conference on global market
trends in wines and spirits
12:00 - conference on E-commerce challenges
14:30 - conference on the consequences of
Brexit for the industry
Vinexpo Academy will feature must-attend
tastings such as the first Tre Bicchieri event in
Paris, The Gambero Rosso award-winning wines
for 2020, a caviar pairing ‘battle’ where three
top sommeliers will be tasked with finding the
best pairing for caviar. Moët-Hennessy is also to
participate to this rich program with a unique and
groundbreaking dimension. It will dedicate its
space to speak about sustainable development
with a range of 30 minutes succinct discussions
and debates.
Highlights of the Vinexpo Academy programme
include sessions on Austrian wine, tasting of
Médoc Crus Bourgeois, “Brandy, far-reaching
changes for iconic spirits”, “The Gambero Rosso
award-winning wines for 2020”, “Tre Bicchieri live
from Paris”, “Purchasing or selling a vineyard”,
“Mass retail: Trends and consumers, what are
the innovative initiatives in supermarkets?”,
“Oltrepò Pavese: the latest emerging vineyard
for bubbles in Italy”, “Who are the Médoc Crus
Bourgeois?”, “Coravin tasting challenge: “Dare
to compare”, “Wine shops: What levers should be
activated to boost turnover?”, and “FEVS Press
Conference: Report on French wine and spirits
exports in 2019”
PAV 7.2
The person who achieves the highest score
by correctly identifying the most wines
served will be presented by Marc Almert,
who is Chief Sommelier for Baur Au Lac and
Baur Au Lac Vins, with a prize on behalf of
Vinexpo’s Champagne Partner, Jeeper Luxe.
Demonstrating its popularity, the Vinexpo
Challenge has been held at every Vinexpo
exhibition since 2015 in conjunction with the
ASI
WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY
10am – 11.30am
PAV 7.2 / ROOM 4
Mark Almert, ASI 2019 Best Sommelier of
the World at Vinexpo Academy 2019
VINEXPO DAILY • WEDNESDAY 5 TH FEBRUARY 2020 • 7