ProWein 2016 to Feature Diverse Ancillary Program

DIVERSE ANCILLARY PROGRAM AT PROWEIN 2016

Some 6,000 exhibitors from 57 nations will take part in ProWein 2016, International Trade Fair for Wines and Spirits, representing all relevant wine regions worldwide. In the spirits segment 400 companies will participate. The unique range of the exhibitors’ products will be complemented by a diverse ancillary program consisting of tasting sessions, seminars and special events. ProWein will be held from March 1315, 2016 at the fairgrounds in Düsseldorf, Germany.

More than 300 events will be offered by exhibitors at their stands. In focus here are countries such as Israel, Canada and New Zealand. Special varieties like Japanese koshu wine, old archive wines and vintage ports will also be on show. New this year is the Organic Lounge hosted by the three associations Demeter, Bioland and ECOVIN. In addition to organic and bio-dynamic wine cultivation, organic chef Karsten Bessai will serve food from his “organic kitchen”.

The program is accompanied by the central ProWein Forum in Hall 12, which will include lecture by acclaimed winemaker Bruce Jack on the development of the South African wine business, a seminar by Prof. Li on how to do successful business in China and a masterclass on Bodega Numanthia, one of the best estates in the Toro winegrowing region. Future developments will also be an important topic: Wine Intelligence will present the latest results of the ProWein Study about future trends in wine retail while the IWSR will give tips on how to reach younger target groups. German Celebrity guests will include handball star Stefan Kretzschmar and actor Andreas Hoppe. Details about ProWein’s event program are online at www.prowein.com.

Unusual Ideas at “same but different”
Another highlight will be the special show “same but different” about innovative projects for wine production and marketing. Initiated and organized by Messe Düsseldorf, the show is held twice a year and presents ten unusual projects from around the world. One participant is the Flying Winemaker Eddie McDougall from Hong Kong who produces wine in the center of this megacity, hosts a well-known TV show and offers unusual events at his wine shop. Another project is Thokozani from South Africa, initiated by the acclaimed Diemersfontein Winery, combining first-class wines with a good cause. With the title “black empowerment” the goal is to give the black population access to education, experience and capital in order to achieve economic independence long term. The theme at San Vigilio is fairy tales. Headquartered in Great Britain the company has, like Pinocchio, injected life into a piece of wood but instead of a toy with a long nose they have produced a classy barrique bottle for maturing wine and whisky. All participants at “same but different” will be individually presented on the ProWein Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ProWein.tradefair) starting in February and also at www.prowein.com.

Several other special shows and events will be an attraction for the trade visitors. In the Champagne Lounge in Hall 12 renowned Champagne houses will showcase the modern variety of their bubbly classics. The FIZZZ Lounge in the spirits segment of ProWein will be devoted to “Shim Cocktails” – complex, highly aromatic, perfectly balanced and, as alcoholic lightweights, the perfect compromise between old and familiar virgins cocktails and strong, high-percentage drinks. The central Tasting Zone in Hall 17 will offer the winning wines from MUNDUS VINI’s spring tasting while the “Packaging & Design” special show in Hall 13 will focus on products for closure, labeling and packaging.

10th Anniversary of “ProWein goes City”
The city of Düsseldorf will host special events in the evenings of ProWein with its “ProWein goes City program”, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. There will be wine tasting menus, cooking classes, bottle parties and art exhibitions with a vintner’s wine tasting – the spectrum ranges from a Hungarian wine evening and a culinary wine concert to a tasting of exclusive wines from Château Pape Clément from Bordeaux. The full program is online at www.prowein.com

PLEASE NOTE:  new opening times for ProWein 2016 are 10:00 am to 7:00 pm!!

For further information on visiting or exhibiting at  ProWein 2016, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America, 150 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 2920, Chicago, IL 60601. Telephone: (312) 781-5180; Fax: (312) 781-5188; E-mail: info@mdna.com; Visit our web site http://www.mdna.com; Subscribe to our blog at http://blog.mdna.com; Follow us on twitter at http://twitter.com/FoodBev_MDNA

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