Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris will welcome 30,000 visitors from around the world to the international flagship meeting of the wine and spirits industry

Under the patronage of Chef Guy Savoy, the 2023 edition comes with inspiring new entertainment and encounters including Chef & Sommelier duos, the Battle of Sommeliers and the Battle of Mixologists.

Offering his food for thought ahead of the 2023 show, patron Guy Savoy comments: “Every time a bottle of wine is opened on a table across the world is a part of France… which has relocated to the other end of the world.”

With these words, Guy Savoy – whose restaurant in the 6th arrondissement of Paris was crowned best restaurant in the world for the sixth consecutive year – evokes his passion for gastronomy, on the plate as in the glass. During an in-depth interview with Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris, he spoke about his cuisine and his close collaboration with the world of wine. He also described his patronage, giving significant support to the wine and spirits industry, which plays a central role in cuisine.

Sommelier in the spotlight
Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris also represents one of the major international sommelier meetings, as demonstrated by the partnership established with the World’s Best Sommelier Competition organised by the ASI on the eve of the show.

For the first time in Paris, industry professionals will compete in the Battle of the Sommeliers including:

• Paz Levinson, ASI Best Sommelier of the Americas 2015
• Heidi MÄKINEN, ASI Best Sommelier of Finland 2015
• Véronique RIVEST, ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2013

The showdown will take place on Monday February 13, from 13.30 – 14.30 and focus on “The influence of different containers used in winemaking and wine ageing.”

Chef and Sommelier duos
Another novelty for this 2023 edition is the Chef and Sommelier duos. These encounters involve the tandem formed by a chef and his sommelier, both competing in skill and creativity. Each duo will present inspiring chords, under the gaze of Philippe Faure-Brac, named best sommelier of the world in 1992.

Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris invite visitors to this new event to discover exceptional chef and sommelier duos, to understand and apprehend the alchemy of:

• Guy Savoy & Sylvain Nicolas | Monday, February 13 from 15.30 to 16.30
• Thierry Marx & David Biraud | Tuesday, February 14 from 15.30 to 16.30
• Adeline Grattard & Marine Delaporte | Wednesday, February 15 from 15.30 to 16.30

Battle of the Mixologists! A cocktail party

Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris is also celebrating the international spirits and crafts industry with another highlight event.

Putting the spotlight on the players of this sector, Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris is putting on a battle of mixologists on Wednesday February 15, from 10.30 to 12.00.

In front of an audience of 50 people and under the critical gaze of a jury, four renowned mixologists will be measured around a surprise theme which will not be revealed until D-Day. Participants battling for the crown have been selected from bars featuring in the OFF 2023. While the judging panel includes Lionel Albano, founder of La Mentheuse, by Marc-Antoine Fulconis, co-founder of Beeche (Bulles de Ruche), Gauthier Zucco, brand ambassador at Bollinger Diffusion, and Benjamin Flavigny, brand ambassador at Maker’s Mark France.

The mixologists will be asked to make three cocktails in the battle. At the end of the jury’s debates, the winning cocktail will be tasted by all.