ProWein 2018 – Top-Notch Supporting Programme as Source of Information for Wine and Spirits Pros

The well-attended ProWein Forums show just how important the information events are for the trade audience at ProWein. According to Marius Berlemann, Global Head of Wine & Spirits and Director of ProWein, these Forums were initiated to enable exhibitors to showcase various themes to a larger number of visitors. Once again in 2018 numerous events will be held in the Forums in Halls 10 and 13.

Providing an all-round overview on international wine trends are the ProWein trend scouts Stuart Pigott and Paula Sidore in their guided tastings. As part of the Trend Hour on Sunday and Monday (from 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm on both evenings at the ProWein Forum in Hall 10) they will be reporting on the new freshness in wine, the success of natural wines, viticulture in the new north, regionality in taste and style as well as the emerging wine nation of China on the cusp of making its breakthrough.

Champagne & Sparkling Wine for Festive Moments

A unique feature at the world’s largest wine trade fair is the Champagne Lounge with 40 tradition-steeped Champagne houses and more than 150 brands. And when you can taste the likes of Champagne aged in the depths of the Atlantic, like at the Champagne Vollereaux stand, it is sure not only to be world-famous but also quite extraordinary. Guided Champagne tastings will also be held at Falstaff, Vinum and publishing house Meininger Verlag. At the stand of Sud de France Développement sparkling delights care of Limoux will be available for tasting. Contrasting with their know-how about centuries-old Champagne and sparkling wine production the Comité de Champagne will be presenting the latest developments in the field in their annual press conference at the trade fair (Sunday, 19/03/2018, 12 noon at the ProWein Forum in Hall 10).

German “winzersekt” or vintners’ vintage varietal sparkling wine with or without 36 months’ yeast fermentation – as well as the quirky Pet Nats offering – can be found at the events held at the stands of Frankenwein-Frankenland, Rheinhessenwein, the German Wine Institute (Deutsches Weininstitut – DWI), Falstaff and Vinum.

Italians at the Vinum stand featuring spumante from Lake Garda score points as does the Consorzio per la Tutela del Franciacorta with the different Franciacorta types as Italy’s best sparkling wines. At their tasting the DE.S.A. Deutschland Sommelier Association will then add to this Italian theme rounding up the first day of the trade fair with traditional, bottle-fermented sparkling wines from Italian winemakers coupled with Italian delicatessen, oysters and caviar.

Information on Spanish Cava will be presented at Meininger Verlag while at the stand of Österreich Wein Marketing the sparkling wine Sekt g. U. (Austrian sparkling wine with Protected Designation of Origin) will be available for tasting and for its part Demeter e. V. will be presenting top biodynamic “bubbly” from Germany and France. And those who like fun and fizzy should check out IBRAVIN Wines of Brazil and discover their semi-sparkling offerings.

Craft Spirits and Craft Beer Very Much on Trend

Dedicated to the trendy and very highly sought after Craft theme is the newly designed special show “same but different” in Hall 7.0. Over 70 exhibitors will be showcasing their products here like Craft Spirits, Craft Beer and Cider. The most important types of craft beer are presented by the publishing house Meininger Verlag at their stand in guided tastings. On the “same but different” area the unique trend drinks plus the “Who’s Who” on the scene will seduce visitors with a night of clubbing with electrifying beats while at the Romanian Wine Promotion Association’s stand a Craft Beer Zone plus a competition will be offered.

Everyone wanting to know what those Scandi lifestyle hygge drinks taste like should check out the Meininger Verlag in the Fizzz Lounge. Insights into the harmonious balance of a cocktail will be supplied by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) at their stand. Conversely, at the distillery Feinbrennerei Sasse Korn things do not all just revolve around the Korn schnapps trend but also a fair bit around what makes a good aperitif. For training in the field of Pálinka fruit brandies, this Hungarian eau de vie will be dealt with for the first time by the AMC Agricultural Marketing Centre at the ProWein Forum in Hall 10.