ProWein underscores its role as the leading trade fair for the wine and spirits industry

The extremely high internationality of the ranges continues to be ProWein’s absolute USP. This is why ProWein also proved the unrivalled central business event for the international buyers from food retail, specialist retail and the hospitality industry once again this year.

ProWein extends spirits ranges to include ProSpirits for the first time

This year saw ProWein celebrate a new milestone: ProSpirits, the brand world for spirits. All of Hall 5 placed spirits – a market segment with great potential – in the limelight in the direct neighbourhood of the Trend Show “same but different” for the urban bar scene. 420 exhibitors from 40 countries showcased their products on 4,800 square metres exhibition space. This year’s trends in the spirits segment included brandy, vodka, liqueurs, agave spirits and AI-RTD cocktails. Spirits professionals from all over the world were represented – ranging from a Tequila start-up from Berlin to big industry names from Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Korea, Mexico and Great Britain. The ProSpirits Forum comprising Masterclasses, exhibitor presentations and tastings rounded off the programme. The Trend Hour Tastings also proved very popular. Here, spirits ambassador Jürgen Deibel presented all types of specialties and rarities and conveyed plenty of know-how and pleasure for all involved. The new concept met with a positive response among both exhibitors and visitors across the board underlining the relevance and potential of the spirits segment at ProWein.

Central market topic: Sustainability

Sustainability has been a topic keeping the international industry very busy for many years. This was also reflected in the ranges at ProWein 2024. Worth emphasising here are above all the international associations and initiatives such as Bioland, Demeter, Ecovin, Fair’n Green, Respekt Biodyn and Vignerons de Nature. These organisations and their members have been committed to and driving sustainability at ProWein for years now. Likewise, the “Organic World” with numerous organic vintners formed an important part of the trade fair. Beyond this two leading NGOs – “International Wineries for Climate Action” (IWCA) and the “Sustainable Wine Roundtable” (SWR) – were represented here at the sector’s leading trade fair in Düsseldorf.

Other themes trending in the industry at ProWein 2024:

• Under the motto “ProWein Zero” the special area in Hall 1 was all about “no and low” – complemented by a corresponding tasting zone organised by Meininger Verlag.
• Catering to restaurateurs – above all the young, urban community from Germany and abroad – was the “urban gastronomy by #asktoni & ProWein” Lounge.
• The special show “Packaging & Design” dealt with packaging alternatives to glass for bottles, to name but one material.
• The new Concept Store provided tips for the appropriate presentation and marketing of wine at the Point of Sale. Topics such as digital signage, wine consulting by sommelier bots, “self-service” wine tastings, sustainability by way of return systems and wine labels were addressed and discussed.
• The Champagne Lounge with its extensive Champagne ranges also proved a special attraction again for the trade fair audience this year.

The coming ProWein 2025 will be held in Düsseldorf from 16 to 18 March.