The London Wine Fair is set to welcome a host of first-time exhibitors for the 2023 event, with a significantly increased presence from key European countries. 90% of the available space is either confirmed or reserved for this, the 41st live edition, which represents a 37% increase compared to the same point last year.
From France, Wines of Roussillon, AOC Languedoc and IGP Méditerranée will exhibit for the first time in recent history. Italy is to take six regional pavilions, an increase of 35% on last year. Spain’s Catalonia will also be represented for the first time. Greece will have a five-fold increase in space for 2023, with two regions exhibiting for the first time: Wines of Attica and Region of Central Greece. Georgia is taking additional space this year and will host daily on-stand activations. Portuguese region, Wines of Tejo, will double its space and 20 producers from Portugal will be showing in the UK for the first time, within Wines Unearthed.
The Discovery Zone is now fully booked, with an extension being organised to accommodate a waiting list of companies looking to exhibit. Both the Masterclasses and Industry Briefings have all but sold out, with additional sessions being considered for the Wednesday afternoon to satisfy demand. Both Bergerac and Costières de Nimes will host Masterclass sessions for the first time.
Head of London Wine Fair, Hannah Tovey, said: “we are delighted to see a return to confidence in UK trading from key European bodies after the dual headwinds of Brexit and Covid; many have taken a significant and increased presence for this year’s show. We are also retaining a sizeable representation from the U.K.’s leading agents, distributors and importers, including: Awin Barratt Siegel; Enotria & Coe; EWGA; Hatch Mansfield; Felix Solis; H2Vin; Friarwood Fine Wines and Seckford Agencies, alongside single producers and those looking to break into the UK market for the first time. We are still nine weeks out from the show and will be announcing additional new content and initiatives in due course, but we are extremely confident that 2023 will be the best London Wine Fair in recent memory.”
The London Wine Fair will take place at Olympia from 15th to 17th May.
