Millésime Bio reveals dedicated spirits area

The world fair for organic wines and other alcoholic beverages, Millésime Bio, will be held digitally and in person at the end of the month.

The in-person event will take place on 29-31 January at the Montpellier Exhibition Centre in France, with the digital event taking place on 22-23 January. Around 11,000 trade visitors are expected to attend, with 1,500 exhibitors involved.

Millésime Bio is attended by wine merchants, sommeliers, restaurateurs, importers, buyers from multiple retail and specialist channels, with 20% of guests coming from outside France.

Alongside beer and wine masterclasses, guests can visit the​​ Spirit&Bio zone, introduced this year, to discover organic spirits producers.

“It was important for spirits to join Millésime Bio, and for Millésime Bio to diversify,” explained Jeanne Fabre, president of the fair. “There is a real trend for organic spirits that we want to put light on.”

There will be a specific tasting for the Spirit&Bio zone, held in the late afternoon on Tuesday 30 January.

Spirits exhibitors attending this year’s event include Armagnac brand Domaine Séailles, Cognac brand Distillerie du Peyrat and gin brand Arduenna.

“2023 proved to be an exceptional exhibition marked by the 30th anniversary of Millésime Bio. But 2024 holds great promises – initial feedback from trade visitors indicates that they will attend in even greater numbers,” said Nicolas Richarme, chairman of Sudvinbio, which organises the event.

“Concurrently with this, there is a growing determination to reach out to consumers and convey a positive message about organic products.

“The present-day Millésime Bio is not only the largest marketplace in the world for organic wines and alcoholic beverages, but also a brand name – in a good sense – whose reputation extends well beyond the trade. This awareness comes with responsibilities, one of which is for us to contribute to educating consumers about organic wine.”