Barcelona Wine Week (BWW), the premier event for high-quality Spanish wines, concluded its latest edition with unprecedented success at Fira de Barcelona.
The show welcomed 952 wineries from 73 Designations of Origin (DO) and nearly 21,000 professional visitors, 20% of whom were international.
This year, over 12,000 business meetings were conducted between exhibiting companies and 1,000 major national buyers and 650 key international importers from strategic markets, including the United States, Germany, Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and China, thanks to a collaboration with ICEX.
Growth and Future Plans
BWW's fourth edition saw a 15% increase in both the number of exhibitors and exhibition space. The success has prompted plans for expansion in 2025, with the next edition scheduled for February 3-5. Despite this growth, the event will remain at its iconic Montjuic venue of Fira de Barcelona.
Javier Pagés, president of BWW, remarked, "In just four editions, Barcelona Wine Week has become one of the three most relevant wine fairs in Europe. This success of the event forces us to resize ourselves, to grow to host more wineries and more buyers, but without losing the essence of exclusivity and quality of the event."
Highlights of the Event
During the three-day event, more than 300,000 glasses of wine were served for tasting. The event showcased wines from major companies like Matarromera, Pago de los Capellanes, Protos, Marqués del Atrio, Hammeken Cellars, Lan, La Rioja Alta, Araex, Juvé & Camps, Vicente Gandía, Freixenet, and Vallformosa. DO Ribera del Duero, DOCa Rioja, and DO Cava had significant presence, along with Priorat, Bierzo, Alicante, Mallorca, Jumilla, Cigales, Rías Baixas, Arlanza, and Navarra.
The show also hosted over 160 experts, including Masters of Wine, sommeliers, critics, and prominent winemakers, who discussed major challenges and macro-trends in the wine sector. Topics included climate change adaptation, sustainability advancements, and innovative wine container usage. Notable participants included Dominik Huber and Sara Pérez (DOCa Priorat), Masters of Wine Fernando Mora, Almudena Alberca, and Tim Atkin, and experts Peter Richards and Beth Willard.
Commitment to Sustainability
BWW demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability. Approximately 70% of the furniture and stands were reused, and the carpet was eco-friendly. In collaboration with Ecovidrio, more than 17 tons of glass were collected. The show also recycled cork stoppers with the help of the Institut Català del Suro and eliminated single-use plastics.
Collaborations and Support
The event was supported by the Spanish Wine Federation (FEV), the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA), the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, ICEX Spain Export and Investment, and the Department of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda of the Generalitat of Catalonia. Additionally, Cajamar, a leading financial group for cooperative banking in Spain, lent its support.
Conclusion
Barcelona Wine Week 2023 not only broke records but also set a new benchmark for future editions. With its commitment to quality, sustainability, and international collaboration, BWW continues to solidify its position as a leading wine fair in Europe. As the event looks to expand in 2025, it remains dedicated to maintaining its unique blend of exclusivity and high standards.
Source: Vinetur