Wine Paris closed its doors on February 11 after three dynamic days in the French capital, confirming its position as one of the most influential gatherings in the global wine and spirits calendar.
The 2026 edition welcomed 63,541 trade visitors from 169 countries, with 51% international attendance, marking a remarkable 20.75% increase compared to the previous year. On the exhibitor side, 6,537 companies from 63 countries participated, also with a 51% international presence and a 20% growth rate. These figures underline the event’s accelerating internationalization and its central role in the global beverage ecosystem.
From Trade Fair to Strategic Platform
According to Nicolas Cuissard, director of Wine Paris, the event is consolidating itself not only as a commercial marketplace but also as a platform of influence and dialogue.
In a context defined by economic uncertainty and mounting trade tensions, Wine Paris functioned as a catalyst for global business opportunities. Through its digital platform alone, 25,958 pre-arranged meetings were organized — a 28% increase year-on-year — while the presence of major buyers rose by 20%.
Overall, the exhibition center hosted 112,462 industry professionals, including producers, négociants, importers, distributors, and international buyers. The return of established industry leaders and the arrival of new exhibitors from emerging markets strengthened both commercial diversity and global reach.
A Broader Beverage Ecosystem
Under the umbrella of Vinexposium, Wine Paris expanded its scope beyond traditional wine categories. The 2026 edition integrated the full beverage spectrum:
- Wines
- Spirits
- Beers and ciders
- Cocktails and RTDs
- Low- and no-alcohol alternatives
This diversification reflects shifting consumer preferences, health-conscious trends, and the premiumization of alternative beverage segments.
Two dedicated spaces highlighted this evolution:
- Be Spirits Stage, reinforcing the event’s spirits specialization
- Be No Stage, focusing on non-alcoholic innovation
Be Spirits gathered 370 exhibitors from 39 countries (+28%), with a stronger presence of international bartenders and professional buyers. Meanwhile, Be No debuted with 64 exhibitors from 13 countries, presenting more than 250 products for tasting — a clear sign of structural growth in the alcohol-free segment.
Ian Thomson, founder of Thomson & Scott Naughty, emphasized that rarely had he connected with so many international professionals in such a short period at a trade show.
Political Presence and Geopolitical Dialogue
This year marked a significant institutional milestone. For the first time, French President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated the fair. He was joined by former President François Hollande, two sitting French ministers, four foreign ministers, and representatives from 37 embassies.
Members of the European Commission and European Parliament were also in attendance, elevating the event’s political dimension.
Wine Paris has thus evolved into a structured forum where dialogue between the beverage sector, national governments, and European institutions takes concrete shape. Discussions addressed:
- EU trade agreements with Mercosur and India
- US tariffs and transatlantic tensions
- Export diversification strategies
- Regulatory adaptation to market changes
Knowledge, Media, and Market Intelligence
The Academy program delivered 239 sessions, including masterclasses, panel debates, and lectures on innovation, branding, mixology, and consumer trends — particularly within the non-alcoholic category.
Media presence reached new heights, with 1,894 journalists from 49 countries (57% international), representing a 25% increase. This surge confirms the growing international attention surrounding the sector’s strategic debates.
Looking Ahead to 2027
Wine Paris will return from February 15–17, 2027, with the clear ambition, stated by Rodolphe Lameyse, to further strengthen its international projection and consolidate its position as a global reference platform for wine and beverages.
The 2026 edition demonstrated that Wine Paris is no longer simply a trade fair. It has become a strategic convergence point, where commerce, policy, innovation, and global vision intersect — shaping the future trajectory of the wine and beverage industry.
Source: Vinetur