Wine Paris reveals 2026 events programme
Vinexposium has unveiled the events programme for Wine Paris 2026, with more than 180 interactive tasting workshops, masterclasses, panel discussions, conferences and trade meetings on the schedule.
This year, Vinexposium plans to champion its mission as a strategic international platform with a Wine Paris programme of conferences and panel discussions dedicated to public policy, international trade and the major societal issues facing the wine and spirits industry.
The first will be a panel discussion examining the EU-Mercosur agreement and its implications for European and South American markets.
In addition, a session on the Indian market and the economic growth opportunities generated by free trade agreements will be held, focusing on both those that are concluded or under negotiation with key trading partners such as the EU, the UK, and Australia.
Finally, a debate on transatlantic trade relations will analyse the impact of recent US tariffs on the spirits industry and global trade balances, with contributions from industry spokespeople on both sides of the Pond.
Be No Talks
New for 2026, Be No, the dedicated space designed to decode and deepen understanding of the alcohol-free market, will also host a series of Be No Talks, which will consist of 45-minute sessions combining expert-led discussions and practical insight.
Specialists, key players and innovative brands will address changing consumer behaviours and expectations, along with the strategies shaping the category. These conversations aim to provide a clear view of current trends and growth prospects for alcohol-free beverages.
Talks will focus on the non-alcoholic wine sector; responsible drinking as a core component of gastronomy; and one debate will ask if alcohol-free beverages are friends or foes of wines and spirits.
This final debate will examine the impact of alcohol-free wines and ‘spirits’ on traditional models, scrutinising issues of complementarity, evolving usage and emerging market equilibrium.
The Be No Hall 2.1 will also host free pour tastings of more than 250 alcohol-free labels.
‘Pairing Perfection’
Through this year’s tasting masterclasses, the concept of ‘Pairing Perfection’ will be the thread woven throughout.
Moving beyond food and wine pairings, the masterclasses explore the broader notion of harmony, focusing on the intersection of products, uses, cultures and visions, turning pairing into a lens through which current expectations and industry transformation can be interpreted.
These masterclasses will span a variety of formats, from ‘Battle of the mixologists’, a session that will compare and contrast creativity, technique and pairings, to the rediscovery of Cognac through food pairings.
The new pairing frontier will also be explored with a session dedicated to matching cheeses with sake as a way of pushing the boundaries of sensory exploration, while an additional session focusing on agave distillates and pairings with Mexican food, with attendance by chef Mercedes Ahumada, will also take place.
Finally, there will be a few market and industry focus sessions dedicated to economic and cultural issues.
Be Spirits Stage
From the opening day on 9 February, the Be Spirits Stage will set the tone by examining major global trends with Melita Kiely, editor-in-chief of The Spirits Business, before turning to more exploratory themes such as the subtle pairing of sake and cheese or the diversity of French ciders.
Day two will celebrate innovation and expertise, with Burgundy-based Pegasus Distillerie revealing its terroir-driven distillation approach, while Scotch maker Glen Moray will lift the curtain on the role of cask ageing, and Japanese distillation traditions for shochu and awamori will invite participants to discover distinctive flavour profiles.
On the final day of the show (Wednesday 11 February), the IWSR will deliver an analysis of the global spirits arena, and masterclasses will focus on food and spirits pairings – from Cognac to agave – offering a comprehensive and inspiring sensory journey.
Meanwhile, located at the heart of Be Spirits, the Infinite Bar will span 40 metres and feature 20 mixologists from some of Paris’ most creative and internationally acclaimed bars, including Danico, Moonshiner, Mr Antoine, Red Poppy, Bisou and L’Ours.
Finally, the OFF 2026 Guide will extend the Wine Paris experience by featuring more than 100 Parisian venues, spanning restaurants, wine bars, cocktail bars and wine merchants.
Print books of the 2026 OFF Guide will be available throughout Wine Paris.
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