Seminars in focus
The on-trade forum of recent LIWSFs has evolved into a programme of on-trade seminars for this year's fair.
Organiser Brintex says it has reviewed the content to make it more specifically relevant to an on-trade audience for this year's fair.
Director James Murray admits that perhaps in recent years the substance of the forum had not been as closely monitored as it might have been.
He says: "We've tried to readdress the focus on the service content. This year is going to be much more focused and really make a difference to the buyers that attend."
Full details of the programme are still being finalised but Murray says visitors can expect to see chefs and sommeliers giving talks and demonstrations with immediate practical use for the on-trade.
Mike North, former chef at the Goose in Oxford, will lead a seminar on matching French wines with traditional English food, hosted by Wines of Roussillon. North will be joined by Vladimir Algin, export director of Roussillon producer Cave de l'Abbé Rous. This event is on the first day of the fair at 2pm, and a place can be reserved by contacting Natalie@focuspr.co.uk. .
Other on-trade events will include a session with Enotria Winecellars on "The New World, Much More Than House Wines".
This year's fair will also see a repeat of the dedicated on-trade tasting area.
The area will feature wines that are specifically targeted at the on-trade. Visitors will be able to taste wines without suppliers looking over their shoulders. An information booth will direct them to the suppliers in the exhibition hall if they do want to follow anything up.
"It can be very daunting for visitors faced with so many wines," says Murray. "The key to its success is that we don't allow exhibitors in there. It can still be a really positive way for on-trade suppliers to interact with buyers."
Other special features of the show include a tasting of the top 10 wines from the world's most influential winemaking nations, as chosen by a panel of wine writers.
There's also a programme of more general talks and workshops.
Alliance Wine is organising a seminar on "Malbec and More", on the first day, from 3.45pm to
4.45pm, hosted by José Alberto Zuccardi of the Argentine wine producer Familia Zuccardi. Contact
ros.whiteford@alliancewines.co.uk for a place.
Nicolas Joly, the "guru of biodynamic wine" from the Loire, will be speaking on "Biodynamics: The Fullest Expression of Every AOC", in Waterfront Room 4 on the second day at 10.30am.
New Zealand Winegrowers will be holding a New Zealand aromatics workshop at the fair on the second day, at 2pm, also in Waterfront Room 4.
A panel of winemakers will lead guests through a tasting of Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Riesling. Places are limited and can be booked by ringing Alison Power on 0207 973 8079.
