From February 12th to 14th, the 5th edition of Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris took place under the auspices of French President Emmanuel Macron. Held in Paris, this prestigious event centered on sustainability, climate change, and economic challenges. However, a notable trend was the significant presence of producers of non-alcoholic and low-alcohol wines and spirits. Here are some key takeaways from our visit.
The expansive venue, with seven pavilions featuring exhibitors from around the globe, was almost impossible to fully explore even over three days. The event also featured numerous masterclasses, lectures, and side events, of which only a fraction could be attended due to time constraints.
The opening ceremony highlighted speeches by the Minister of Agriculture, Marc Fesneau, and the Minister of Public Affairs and Accounting, Thomas Cazenave. They set the tone by emphasizing the event’s role as a strategic platform for industry professionals to share ideas on addressing current challenges and focusing on a sustainable future. The importance of international trade and collaborative efforts to manage geo-economic risks was also underscored.
Emerging Trends at Wine Paris 2024
- Popularity of Sparkling Wines: Marketing efforts have been teaching consumers to see sparkling wine not only as a drink for celebrations but as part of regular consumption. Producers have been recommending the use of standard white wine glasses and even Burgundy glasses for older vintage styles for several years now.
- Rise of Grower Champagne: Vineyard owners are increasingly producing their own wines. Their influence is growing, thanks in part to protections against the economic undervaluation of their crops at fixed grape prices each year. Their distinct style, predominantly brut nature and low dosage, highlights the origin of the grapes.
- Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Sommelier Services and Bars: Establishments with digital wine menus use AI to select wines based on guest preferences indicated in surveys. In the bar scene, AI is generating new drink recipes and images. Robotic waiters and sommeliers are becoming more common due to significant labor shortages in the hospitality sector across Europe.
- Increased Environmental Awareness Among Consumers: This is reflected in higher demand for packaging using recycled materials and alternatives like bag-in-box or cans (e.g., Burgundy Chardonnay from the renowned Mâcon Villages appellation in bag-in-box).
- Renaissance of Native Varieties in Various European Regions: For instance, Teroldego in Trentino, Susumaniello in Puglia, Pinot Noir in Germany, and Portuguese varieties newly permitted in Bordeaux.
Decline in Overall Wine Consumption
Wine consumption in France, for example, has dropped from 33.5 million hectoliters in 2005 to approximately 25.2 million hectoliters in 2021. Despite this decline, wine remains one of the most popular alcoholic beverages, with most consumers preferring red wine.
Boom in Non-Alcoholic and Low-Alcohol Wines and Spirits
This segment continues to introduce new products, attracting significant interest at the exhibition. The target demographic primarily consists of millennials and Generation Z, with 44% of consumers of no- and low-alcohol products aged between 18 and 25 years. This trend is gradually extending into Michelin-starred restaurants and is proliferating worldwide. The largest demand for non-alcoholic wines has been observed in France, Germany, Finland, and the Netherlands, while low-alcohol wines are popular in the USA, Norway, and the Netherlands. The global no/low alcohol market exceeded $11 billion in 2022.
Be Spirits Exhibition
This year, Be Spirits showcased 26 countries, with over half being new participants. The exhibition saw a significant increase in international visitors, up 92%, offering a chance to sample a variety of spirits, liqueurs, and aperitifs from around the world—from French cognacs and armagnacs to the ever-popular categories of gins and rums.
The Next Edition
The next Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris will take place from February 10th to 12th, 2025. However, industry professionals can also look forward to Vinexpo Asia in Hong Kong from May 28th to 30th, Vinexpo America in New York from June 24th to 25th, and Vinexpo India in Mumbai from September 16th to 17th this year.
