Drinks professionals from across the globe will flock to the French capital next month for the fifth Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris exhibition, taking place between 12 and 14 February at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.
The 2024 edition of the show will be the largest yet, with 3,900 exhibitors and an expanded Be Spirits space encompassing a large array of distilled drinks, no/low products, beers and ciders. Here’s a selection of brands that you’d be remiss to miss.
BBC Spirits – Stand 7.1/E067
Fast-moving firm BBC Spirits has amassed a portfolio of 150 products covering every major category of spirits. The Europe-based importer, distributor and producer will showcase its diverse selection of Japanese and Mexican spirits. This includes Etsu Japanese Gin, whiskies from Kurayoshi Distillery, Eiko Vodka and Kiyomi Rum from the tropical island of Okinawa. In the Mexican spirits category, BBC will showcase Lokita Tequila & Mezcal, Casa Tarasco Charandas, as well as Abasolo, Nixta, Nocheluna, and Ojo de Tigre from Casa Lumbre.
Additionally, the presentation will spotlight brands within BBC’s distribution network, including Fercullen Irish whiskeys, Morris Australian whiskies, Mermaid English gins, Lyre’s non-alcoholic spirits and Thomas Henry premium mixers – a new partnership for exclusive distribution in France.
Bear Brothers – Stand 7.1/G052
Bottega – Stand 7.1/H002
Italy’s family owned Bottega returns to Vinexpo to present its selection of grappas, wines and liqueurs. Grappa enthusiasts will be treated to a selection of single varieties of the grape-based brandy, as well as barrique-aged expressions. When it comes to wine, Bottega will showcase its personality driven proseccos, including the popular Bottega Gold, in addition to a number of other sparkling wines and reds. To round things off, try the group’s range of fruit and cream liqueurs.
Champagne Lanson – Stand 3/J214
Founded 260 years ago, Lanson is one of the champagne industry’s oldest houses and most recognisable names. The brand will be showcasing its time-honoured craft and philosophy of winemaking via its coveted bottles, known for their freshness and fruitiness. Today, Lanson’s champagnes are enjoyed in more than 80 countries, though the brand’s most famous association will surely be with Wimbledon, of which it became a sponsor in 2001.
El Supremo – Stand 7.1/E038
For a taste of tropical escapism, stop by agricole rum El Supremo’s stand. The rum is distilled from sugarcane that has been cultivated in the jungles of Paraguay, with no added colouring, sugar or other additives. Building on Paraguay’s centuries-old tradition of rum-making, El Supremo is double-aged — first in Incienso Marrón casks, then finished in French oak casks.
Famille Naud – Stand 7.1/H027
For five generations the Naud family has created spirits in the Cognac region – starting with the famous fruit liqueur-maker Emile Perrier. Today, the company – now called the Naud Noble and Unusual Distillery – is embracing a modern approach to distillation. In addition to its collection of cognacs, Naud produces a pot-still vodka, a distilled gin made using 12 botanicals, and two rums – one made in Panama and one in Venezuela – which complete their ageing process in the company’s French cellars.
Hexagone Gin – Stand 7.1/F075
Founded by Damien Gagnieres, premium organic gin brand Hexagone has, unusually, been designed to be enjoyed both neat or with tonic. While most gins are made using a mass-produced neutral spirit base, Hexagone is distilled from wine alcohol made using a selection of Languedoc-Rousillon grapes. The brand derives its name from the six botanicals selected to complement the flavour of juniper: hops, jasmine, kefir lime, orange peel, cardamom and Sao Tome pepper.
La Martiniquaise-Bardinet – Stand 7.1/H006
France’s La Martiniquaise-Bardinet returns with its wealth of international brands. This year, the group will shine a light on its premium French spirits – including Lejay Cassis, Saint-Vivant Armagnac and Maison Busnel Calvados. In terms of its international portfolio, agricole rum Saint James, Poliakov Vodka and Gibson’s Gin will take centre stage. Meanwhile, scotch lovers will have the chance to learn more about Glen Moray Single Malt, as well as the Label 5 and Cutty Sark blends.
Les Bienheureux – Stand 7.1/D002
Since launching in 2015, Les Bienheureux has developed an exciting portfolio of French whiskies and premium rum. The group’s flagship Bellevoye brand encompasses an array of unique blended malt cask-finished French whiskies, including a calvados-, sauternes- and plum-cask finish. All iterations have first undergone ageing in French oak casks. Also on display will be Guatemalan rum El Pasador De Oro, which has completed its ageing process in the Charente.
Liviko – Stand 7.1/C073
International group Liviko produces more than 70 alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, a number of which will be available to sample in Paris. One of the group’s star products is Crafter’s, an Estonian gin made using single botanical distillation. Within the brand’s portfolio sits Crafter’s Aromatic Flower Gin, which changes colour when mixed with tonic, and Crafter’s Wild Forest Gin, inspired by the evergreen forests of Estonia and made using botanicals such as spruce thorns and pine shoots.
Maison Villevert – Stand 7.1/D020
Blending French wine traditions with modern distillation, Maison Villevert is the owner of the highly regarded G’Vine Gin. Launched in 2005, G’Vine is distilled from grapes grown in Cognac, which the brand says gives the liquid a “more silky texture and heady aroma” than grain-based gins. Vine blossoms are macerated in the neutral grape spirit base, before it is blended with juniper and nine other botanicals. Maison Villevert also produces La Quintinye Vermouth Royal, a vermouth made from Pineau des Charentes.
Perlino – Stand 2.2/H074
Italian wine and vermouth maker Perlino has been operating in Asti for more than a century and today has an established domestic and international presence. Next month, the group brings its portfolio of proseccos – ranging from dry and distinct to sweet and delicate – and vermouths – made using a historic Piedmont recipe – to Paris. Guests can sample the extra dry, rosso and bianco expressions, which have been designed to be enjoyed neat, with ice or in an aperitif cocktail.
Pisco Spirit of Peru – Stand 7.1/H071
The Pisco Spirit of Peru collective will use the show as a platform to champion Peru’s native grape-based brandy. The spirit can be made from eight types of grapes grown across five regions of Peru, and can be characterised as either non-aromatic or aromatic. Since 2018, the towns of Pisco and Cognac have been twinned, demonstrating their shared history in both wine and spirits production.
Spiribam – Stand 7.1/F046
Spiribam has become a leading name in the world of premium rum. The group, which is the spirits arm of Groupe Bernard Hayot, manages the Martinique-made Rhum Clément and Rhum JM; St Lucia-made Bounty, Chairman’s Reserve and Admiral Rodney, and Mauritius-made Arcane and Beach House. The firm has recently added another string to its bow with the acquisition of Joseph Cartron liqueurs, made in Burgundy.
Tennessee Distilling – Stand 7.1/K002
As a trusted third-party producer, Tennessee Distilling has amassed a global network of associates, and prides itself in being an accommodating and responsive brand partner. In addition to traditional Tennessee whiskey, the distillery makes bourbon, rye, malt and corn whiskies. Located in Columbia, Tennessee, the firm has become one of the top-producing distilleries in the US.
Tesseron Cognac – Stand 7.1/J005
Deep inside Tesseron’s 12th century cellars, once part of a crypt of a local church, lies one of the world’s largest collections of old cognacs. You can find out more about Tesseron’s storied history if you stop by the brand’s stand, where its team will be showcasing expressions from Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne, including ‘The Classic Collection’, where the brand’s 40 hectares of vines are located. Tesseron is one of the last cognac houses to use all three Charentais grape varietals: ugni blanc, folle blanche and colombard.
