Millésime Bio 2010

by S. C.

The Millésime Bio trade show on organic wines took place in Montpellier, France, on Jan. 25 to 27, 2010. With 2,700 professional visitors (1,700 in 2009, representing a 58% increase) and a growing amount of exhibitors (489 against 354 last year, representing a 39% increase), this year's edition was a success.

This meeting place, currently the only one of its kind in France and worldwide, is confirming its position as the international exchange forum for the organic winegrowing sector: buyers (wine retailers, wholesalers, importers, etc.) from 26 countries (including Germany, Argentina, Canada, the United States, Hong-Kong, Japan, Poland, and more) came to sample wines made by producers from 13 countries.

While France, Italy and Spain still make up the top three, the show organizers noted the first-time attendance of exhibitors from North and South America, Egypt, Greece and others, and the return of South African and Romanian exhibitors for the second year running.

A stable presence from foreign exhibitors: they represent 23% of the total number, and mostly come from Italy (10.5%) and Spain (9.5%).

The Millésime Bio Challenge Competition
During the trade show, the organizers distributed the awards to winners of the latest Millésime Bio Challenge, an international competition for wines made with organic grapes. Out of 660 wines entered, 173 were selected by the jury.

The Organic Wines Professional Association for the Languedoc Roussillon region (AIVB-LR) will host Millésime Bio 2011 from January 24 to 26, 2011, at the Exhibition Center in Montpellier, France.