I EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW I
I EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW I © Philippe Labeguerie WE HAVE 41 COUNTRIES REPRESENTED AT THE SHOW AND A LARGE NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL BUYERS COMING FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO MEET WORLDWIDE PRODUCERS Rodolphe Lameyse Vinexposium CEO 10 • THE DAILY • TUESDAY 7 TH FEBRUARY 2023 wineparis-vinexpo.vinexposium-connect.com
I EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW I Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris 2023 goes for gold The trade show, taking place at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, will welcome the global wine and spirits industry with an impressive programme of events, conferences, master classes, tastings and more Rodolphe Lameyse, Vinexposium CEO, gave a glimpse of what is to come over the three days in an exclusive interview with The Daily. What can visitors expect at Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris this year? The 2023 edition builds on what we achieved last year. We managed to ride out the storm and deliver an incredible show which was widely applauded by our exhibitors and visitors. Thanks to this momentum, we have grown by around 20% in 2023, which is significant. This year, the international presence is also considerably higher. We have set aside three halls for international exhibitors. There will be many pavilions, including Japan, Chile,Argentina, Canada, Germany, Austria, Georgia, Slovenia, Greece, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Bulgaria. What are the highlights of this year's programme? This year we have our new patron, Guy Savoy, whose restaurant at the Hôtel de la Monnaie has been named the best table in the world six times. We will also be hosting a series of exciting events, including the Battle of the Sommeliers, Battle of the Mixologists and the Chef & Sommelier Duos. This year we wanted to further highlight the spirits segment which has been incredibly successful and has grown by 43%. Part of the appeal I think is that visitors can really discover small, artisanal producers. This year, the spirits section has its own timetable and hall where visitors can sample exhibitors' finest creations at the Infinite Bar. We have also added the Craft Pavilion, reserved for young producers of spirits and nonalcoholic drinks. It's important to remember that there are two sides to Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris, what happens at the show and what happens offsite. We wanted to make sure people who attend this year's show say to themselves, "when I come to Paris, I'm here to do business but also, I have a great time". For this reason, we have selected 180 bars and restaurants all across the city, so everyone can find their happiness over a glass of wine or a cocktail after the show closes. What are the key topics for the wine and spirits industry and how will these be addressed during the show? The current macroeconomic climate has been challenging to say the least and this has raised a number of important points for the industry. Firstly, changes in consumption have raised important questions about the type and quality of products on the market. Secondly, climate change is having an impact on production levels, although globally speaking we have had a good harvest in 2022 and we therefore expect business to boom. On the flip side, there is growing pressure being placed on supply chains and the sourcing of dry materials such as glass. All of these topics will of course be addressed during the trade show through our Programme ON!, a series of conferences, masterclasses, round table discussions and more taking place over the three days. We will also be hearing from experts in other industries like packaging about alternative materials and their benefits. These issues will also be at the heart of the exchanges taking place on the trade show floor, whether it's with buyers or the many politicians and dignitaries who will be attending from France and other countries. What about the new markets who will be attending? Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris 2023 is really a reflection of the global wine and spirits industry. We have 41 countries represented at the show and a large number of buyers coming from all over the world to meet worldwide producers of wine and spirits, as well as foreign ones. There are not many events taking place throughout the year where people in the industry can make these kinds of connections and we are proud to say that in 2023, Paris is one of the most important. What is the role of technology and how is it being highlighted at the show? Technology is a source of disruption and innovation in all industries today. We can see the impact wine technology has along the entire value chain, from the selection of grapes to better understanding consumer preferences. We have highlighted this in partnership with La Wine Tech by inviting more than 36 startups to showcase their latest innovations. Do you have a message for the visitors and exhibitors? Maximise your time in Paris, both at the trade show and outside. There are few moments like this during the year so take full advantage. It is a real opportunity to make new discoveries, contacts and connections in this unique setting. Everyone who helped organise Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris 2023 has made sure all of the right ingredients are present so that you have an absolutely amazing time from start to finish GUY SAVOY, PATRON OF WINE PARIS & VINEXPO PARIS 2023 The world famous chef, whose restaurant at La Monnaie de Paris holds three Michelin stars and has been named Best Restaurant of the World in La Liste for the sixth year in a row, is the patron of this year's edition. Mr Savoy has expressed his firm support for France's wine industry saying "It is essential to leverage this extraordinary lifeblood that makes up our gastronomy and find the perfect match between food and wine." He will be hosting a Chef and Sommelier duo with Sylvain Nicolas during the show to present food and wine pairings, under the watchful eyes of Philippe Faure-Brac, President of the French Sommeliers Union and winner of Best Sommelier in the world 1992 THE DAILY • TUESDAY 7 TH FEBRUARY 2023 • 11
