Vinexposium’s flagship Paris occasion is evolving past wine, with a booming spirits corridor, a brand new Be No expertise, and a renewed deal with navigating world commerce challenges.
Vinexposium is making ready for the return of its flagship occasion, Wine Paris, which takes place from 9/11 February 2026.
Organiser Vinexposium held a press convention in London yesterday (4 December) the place CEO Rodolphe Lameyse was joined by Miles Beale, chief government of the Wine and Spirit Commerce Affiliation (WSTA), to stipulate what would be the present’s largest version but.
Lameyse stated subsequent yr’s occasion will welcome round 6,000 exhibitors from 60 nations, with exhibitor house offered out since July and a ready checklist in place. Greater than 60,000 commerce patrons are anticipated.
The spirits space continues to develop, with greater than 300 exhibitors confirmed from 40 nations. Lameyse famous that though main world spirits teams will not be but current, mid-sized producers are more and more driving the sector’s development.
“What’s fascinating on this spirits space is that we don’t get the massive manufacturers coming from Diageo or MH [Moët Hennessy], it’s mid-cap corporations – 50% are returning. We now have new exhibitors, it’s actually creating. We may have completed extra if we had extra space [but] that’s not the case. And we’ve got all kinds of product on the present flooring, from Tequila to vodka, rum to whisky, to Armagnac and Cognac.”
“The one one we’re lacking is Chartreuse,” he added, pointing to the monks’ determination to prioritise prayer over elevated manufacturing.
Lameyse believes the main spirits corporations will return within the coming years. “They’re watching and coming as guests, trying on the different competitors. And I feel give it two or three years max and they are going to be right here, as a result of there isn’t a motive why not, they should present their muscle groups.”
Wine Paris may even see the return of the Infinite Bar, stated to be the longest pop-up bar in France at 40 metres, and the Craft Pavilion – an space reserved for craft producers.
The Be Spirits programme will function stay mixology classes and masterclasses specializing in class development, hospitality innovation and model activation.
Be No’s launch
Subsequent yr may even see the debut of Be No, a brand new platform devoted to no-alcohol drinks.
Lameyse described the transfer as a response to shifting consumption tendencies and rising purchaser demand for alcohol-free alternate options.
“What I see is a rising demand from the patrons within the wine and spirits enterprise that wish to complement their product classes with no-alcohol merchandise. It’s a requirement. They’re coming from a change within the consumption behaviour, new era, new wholesome life-style strategy or some [with a] well being situation.”
Calling the no-alcohol class an “alternative”, he stated many producers are actually investing within the house. Citing IWSR knowledge, the no-and-low phase is forecast to develop by 4% by 2028, with alcohol-free merchandise anticipated to extend in worth by 10% over the identical interval.
Be No will host 63 exhibitors in its inaugural yr and have greater than 250 samples.
“I feel we’ve got a long-term imaginative and prescient round that,” Lameyse stated, noting that wine and spirits commerce exhibits are already nicely established globally, whereas the Be No idea presents entry to new geographies, together with markets such because the Center East.
Tackling commerce challenges
On the ultimate day of the occasion, Wine Paris will host a panel dialogue on tariffs and their influence on the worldwide spirits trade. Becoming a member of Beale on stage might be Chris Swonger, president and CEO of commerce group the Distilled Spirits Council of the US (Discus), and Pauline Bastidon, director of commerce and financial affairs at commerce physique SpiritsEurope.
“We need to shed a lightweight on what’s occurring on the earth, which is an increasing number of sophisticated,” stated Lameyse. Alongside the tariff session, the present will function a variety of masterclasses and academic content material.
Beale emphasised the significance of internet hosting such discussions at Wine Paris. “One of many causes I’m doing the session with Chris from Discus is that Trump tariffs are affecting the worldwide commerce in spirits. And you realize what? Why is that this related to the UK? You realize, we’re the most important importer of wine on the earth and the largest exporter of spirits on the earth.”
“I feel geopolitics has by no means had extra of an affect on commerce,” he added. “It’s very apparent with the worldwide buying and selling of spirits in a manner, simply due to one man sat within the White Home.”
Beale additionally addressed the relevance of a significant commerce present in Paris for the UK drinks sector, noting that London Wine Truthful is “not as worldwide because it was” and that shifting Vinexposium’s important occasion from Bordeaux to Paris was an “absolute no-brainer for the WSTA to assist”.
“You need the largest wine and now, largest spirits, and no-low present to be as shut as attainable to London… It’s getting greater.”
Whereas he wish to see extra spirits corporations exhibiting, he believes momentum is constructing: “It’s not there but however we’re getting there.”
Beale famous the growing want for trade collaboration, versus the mindset of alcohol classes and nations competing towards each other. “I feel proper now, if you wish to survive, not to mention thrive, it’s trade versus authorities.”
Associated information
Wine Paris to launch alcohol-free Be No in 2026
SB Podcast: largest spirits tendencies at Wine Paris
All you could find out about Wine Paris 2025
