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Wine Paris is positioning itself as the world's leading wine trade show and wants to build on that dominance. The analysis from The-Buyer.net looks at how the show's organisers plan to maintain their number one status, which is worth paying attention to if you're involved in European wine distribution, retail, or production—it's basically the industry's biggest networking and sourcing event.
Vinexposium's announced the nominees for their V d'Or awards, and there's a solid UK and EU presence in the mix. The awards are focused on innovation, sustainability, and education across wine and spirits, with winners being announced in February alongside Wine Paris, so it's worth keeping an eye on if you're tracking industry initiatives or looking for inspiration on what's trending.
The Welsh Vineyards Association held their 2025 awards in November with nearly 60 entries, and it sounds like they really pulled out the stops – Oz Clarke was the star turn, delivering a rousing speech comparing Welsh wine's trajectory to Tasmania and New Zealand's rise to prominence. It's a solid indicator that the Welsh wine scene is gaining genuine momentum and industry credibility, with the event bringing together serious judges and producers to celebrate what's becoming a genuinely competitive regional offering.
VIN 2026 is shaping up to be a major matchmaking event for UK wine buyers looking to source French wines, according to an interview with the Business France organisers behind it. They're positioning it as THE place to discover everything from family-run estates to cutting-edge newcomers across lesser-known French appellations. Worth flagging for any UK merchants or on-trade buyers thinking about their sourcing strategy for next year.
The World Bulk Wine Exhibition returned to Amsterdam with an 8% jump in attendance, pulling in over 2,150 participants from 60 countries. The show highlighted some interesting shifts in the market – Spain's dominance in bulk exports, changing purchasing patterns in the UK and Germany, and a real push towards premiumisation and no/low alcohol products. It's a solid indicator that bulk wine remains resilient despite the broader market squeeze.
Barcelona Wine Week's returning in February 2026 and it's shaping up to be a proper must-attend for EU wine pros. They're expecting over 26,000 industry folks and 1,300 Spanish wineries, with a focus on family-run estates and a brand new No & Low Alcohol Day in collaboration with the Brussels World Competition. Worth marking your calendar if you're serious about staying connected with what's happening across European wine right now.
The London Wine and Spirits Competitions are worth your attention if you're thinking about entering—they're not just about getting a shiny medal, but they can actually help you land listings with premium retailers and on-trade venues. The Buyer's breaking down how the judging works and what makes these competitions stand out from the usual international award circuit, plus there's an early bird deadline at the end of November if you're considering a submission.
The Old Vine Conference wrapped up last week in Northern California with nearly 700 total participants tackling heritage vineyard preservation. It's a solid industry gathering, though the US-focused location means it's probably more relevant if you're tracking global old vine trends rather than specific regional market moves.