Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris 2023 is dedicating an entire hall to the spirits and craft beverage industry, with a programme that promises to be more vibrant than ever
A new area, dubbed the Craft Pavilion, will be reserved for the upcoming generation, with young producers of spirits and alcohol-free drinks, allowing them to promote their products in an outstanding international setting.
Be Spirits has been awarded its own hall to make room for an impressive display of beverages at this year’s event, from craft distilleries to household brands. The new format comes with a change in tempo stemming from a desire to meet the community’s needs through specific opening times, from 10.00 to 20.00.
Featured producers include Gin and Pastis from the Distillerie de l’Ort, produced organically by a brother and sister duo in the Perigord region; rum infusions from K’ribean Cocktail-Taleya, born of a family venture in Guadeloupe; Gin with lavender accents by the Le Vadrouilleur-Maison LC 1901 distillery in Haute Provence; and the craft aperitif Vylmer Apéritifs, also produced in Provence and inspired by the 1950s.
Be Spirits, an event within the event
Spirits, craft and alcohol-free beverages are becoming even more significant in 2023, with 43 % extra floor space compared to last year’s event and 44 % new exhibitors. Alongside many French exhibitors, there will be a strong international presence with Belgium, Canada, the United States, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Romania, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. We are also excited to welcome newcomers Uzbekistan, the Czech Republic, Vietnam, Bosnia Herzegovina, Lithuania, Luxembourg and Peru.
AN ON! Fuelled by creativity
As part of the ON! programme, innovative events will take the stage in a new Speakeasy area, a nod to the illicit ‘speak softly’ bars of the Roaring Twenties. The 2023 Speakeasy by Wine Paris & Vinexpo will take an enterprising approach to on-trend topics in the world of spirits and mixology, yet maintain a very convivial atmosphere.
The battle of the Mixologists, a new event, will bring together the industry’s most creative figures. The Speakeasy area will also play host to masterclasses, conferences and panel discussions devoted to new trends and challenges in the global spirits market.
An impressive line-up
• Battle of the Mixologists
• Masterclass on Brandy curated by Lucien Bernard,
• Spirits masterclass by the WSET
• Masterclasses by the Japan Sake and Shochu Association
• Sowine conference hosted by Marie Mascré, “Z (for zebra?): younger generations and their relationship with wines and spirits”
The French Federation of Wine & Spirits Exporters will also reveal figures for French wine and spirits exports at its annual press conference at 10.00 on February 14 in the LET’S SPEAK WINE! area.
Qualified oenologist, Marie Claude Ségur, R&D, Quality and Sustainability Manager, BNIA, will share the secrets of the Baco grape variety through a carefully selected and curated Armagnac tasting in Room 3, Speakeasy, at 5:30pm Tuesday, 14 February 2023.(((( Carré pour le tasting)))))
Infinite Bar
One of the go-to attractions at Be Spirits is the huge, 40-metre long Infinite Bar. This zone is a place where business meets inspiration and a focal point for the spirits industry to show off their latest concoctions. In 2023, it will welcome European, Parisian and French bars to showcase the incredible creativity of the top mixologists or up-and-coming personalities on the bartender scene.
27 spirit categories
The spirit categories represented at this year’s show include: Anise-based drinks, Armagnac, Cachaça, Calvados, Cognac, Cream Liqueurs, Brandies, Gin, Mezcal, RTDs, Rum, Rum infusions, Sake, Alcohol-free, Tequila, Tonic, Vermouth, Vodka and Whisky.
New alcoholic drinks entering the Be Spirits repertoire include: Absinthe, liqueurs, bitter, Peru’s national drink Pisco, Hard Tea and the Japanese spirit Shochu.
While alcohol-free drinks are set to make their debut in the Be Spirits hall with a range of styles among them, from semi-sparkling, spirits and beers to mixers and tonics.
