VinExpo 2020
After six years as a Cocktail Bandits, our work has taken us to countless conferences, expos and trade shows all over the United States. Most seem to follow a similar structure; rows and rows of 6 x 6 tables draped in brand tablecloths. Your tasting is led by a promo girl who knows less about the product than you. After the sample, you are handed a sticker or button, then on to the next booth; step and repeat. We were in search of a more engaging experience.
Upon receipt of our invitation to VinExpo Paris, we were immediately drawn by the enormous amounts of producers, winemakers, distillers and buyers who would be present. Another attraction was the addition of a section dedicated exclusively to international spirits. This year would be the first time VinExpo would include this specialty area complete with masterclasses led by international beverage professionals.
Speaking of first, 2020 would be the debut year that VinExpo was hosted in Paris and the first year Wine Paris and VinExpo co-hosted the event. This collaboration resulted in more participation from Paris area bars, restaurants and bartenders. Not to mention, Paris has its own charms making VinExpo a perfect opportunity to explore France.
Entry into the conference was fairly straightforward as bi-lingual hostesses assisted with registration. As a large group of attendees descended upon Paris Expo des Versailles, the expo venue, you could feel the energy of the over 30 thousand ticket holders.
The first expo hall featured French wine and champagne. Regions from all of France presented their unique blends attributing nuance flavors not to anything from temperature to terrier. A standout was the Tavel Wine offering from the Rhone Valley. Their Rose had a distinctly rich red color that separated their juice from the other pale pink Roses prevalent in the United States.
The amount of tasting booths was almost overwhelming. Each booth was designed to look like a custom bar or distillery tasting room. Every booth had a different look, different chairs, even different drinking vessels. The exhibitor created an experience like that of a customer in a restaurant.
We wandered through two Halls featuring international wines and liqueurs. We had the pleasure of seeing our good friends from the Italian Trade Commission, who hosted a huge section showcasing Italian wine producers.
Be Spirited
The main reason for our attendance at VinExpo was to experience the new Spirit section. VinExpo devoted an entire hall to showcase international spirits. Brand owners and ambassadors from South American and Asian were present to share their unique products.
We sampled exotic and rare spirits from Austria and Portugal. Tasting booth not only showed pride in the product but also the country of origin. Sharing their culture through cocktails. A favorite was a Sentir Mezcal. This spirit is distilled in clay pots creating a more rounded agave flavor.
Not to be out done, the bartenders of Paris served cocktails from the aptly named ‘Infinite Bar’ that stretched the length of the entire expo hall. Each bar featured an area bartender serving a classic or original cocktail sponsored by a major brand. Way to support the local bar community.
We were excited to meet Parisian bar professionals and gauge the bar scene in this major city. The spirit area was so vast, that we could have spent each day of the three day conference in this section only and still not taste all the samples. Truly impressive showing from the international beverage community. Hopefully this section of VinExpo continues to grow as the conference grows.
3 Highlights of VinExpo
- Moet Hennessy Lounge – these brands are always associated with luxury. Their installation was nothing less than excellent. Their suite featured 2 full bars serving the very best from the Moet Hennessy House. The elegantly decorated lounge hummed with activity and neo soul music making it a very busy area in the expo. Platters of cheese and fruit were placed at each end of the bar creating a comfortable and creative place for attendees to enjoy. We were treated to generous pours of Moet Champagne served from what seemed like a bottomless magnum of the sparkling wine. It’s no wonder why the Moet Hennessy brand is known around the world for their phenomenal products and luxury lifestyle.
- Media Lounge – This area was specially designed as a hub for media and press. This gave us an area to sit down, relax, even charge our cell phones. The lounge featured a bar with regularly rotating snacks. The lounge had a large restroom area with no lines and plenty of room to get comfortable. It was in the media lounge where we met Camille of VinExpo. Her team extended us the invitation to attend and cover VinExpo. Our chance meetings in the media lounge are what trade shows are made for.
- In Expo Restaurants/Pop up restaurants – Tickets to the VinExpo are incredibly affordable. While the tasting samples are complimentary, all food purchases are separate. The expo invited selected a few Paris area restaurants to set up shop inside the event hall. Not only did the restaurants feature a curated food and beverage menu, they also designed and erected small replicas of their restaurants on the expo floor. This takes bringing the party to the customer to a whole new level. Attendees who may not have the time to venture into the city to experience authentic Parisian cuisine, could partake in a delicious meal from an actual French restaurant without leaving the expo. Brilliant way to incorporate local businesses.
Honorable Mention
Public transportation in France is top notch. The bus and train system connect the rural countryside to the fast paced city center. Public transport is also incredibly affordable and is used by the affluent and working class alike. We took a very comfortable train ride from Paris center to Angouleme on our way to Cognac Country. The train featured an on board restaurant that served everything from wine and coffee to snacks and toiletries. I felt very safe on the voyage and wondered why our American train system isn’t more accessible.
Summer’s Corner
Rarely do we leave the peninsula, even more rarely do we venture as far as Summerville but when we were invited by our girls at Touchpoint Communication to a new development community with on-premise community garden and full cafe, we had to check it out.
Moreover, our good friend, JA Moore is head chef and creator of several menu items. We were elated to sample JA’s dishes as he was trained at the acclaimed Johnson & Wales before the institution left Charleston.
Chef Moore served elevated cafe options including warm sweet potato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches with lavender jam. The savory, creamy and sweet combination was a southern twist on traditional lunch fare. And to whet our whistle, Chef prepared us Riesling wine cocktails dipped in honey and garnished with mint!
Co-hosting our afternoon was JA’s charming wife, writer and Charleston PR girl, Victoria.
She shared some of her favorite things about Summer’s Corner including the on-location farmer’s market and resident garden full of okra and herbs.
It great to seeing growth in area’s outside of downtown. Summerville is vastly becoming a viable alternative to Charleston living.
For the love of wine
Robin and Andrea McBride, of Truvee’ Wines, are truly inspirational ladies who are changing the look and taste of the wine world.
These 
sisters grew up separately, in different wine regions of the world (California and New Zealand) and their father’s last wish was for them “to find” each other before he passed away. His dream was realized when the ladies met for the first time at the ages of 16 and 25.
Years later, after learning and combining each other’s wine background and experience, the McBride Sisters created Truvee’ Wines. The word “Truvee” means “to find”, that name reflects the McBrides’ amazing story, as well as their mission “to find” the best grapes to “craft authentic, yet affordable wine.” Truvee Wines has 3 expressions: Chardonnay, a Red Blend, and Rose’.
California Wine Club
Limited Wine Review
California Wine Club specializes in bring great wines to members at affordable pricing. After selecting a package, members receive artisanal wines delivered directly to you in the mail. CA Wine Club focuses on using wines from small family-owned wineries to ensure the craft quality of the grape and aging process. Our special delivery of Limited Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are a perfect representation of custom flavors and convenience. Both wines were complex yet very drinkable. We are now curious about the other offerings from Limited Wines.
For more information on California Wine Club, visit www.cawineclub.com
