Annual Loire Valley Wine Fair in Angers, Feb. 4-6
The Salon des Vins de Loire, the annual wine fair for the entire Loire Valley, will take place in Angers from Monday, February 4 through Wednesday, February 6, 2008. The event brings together 600 producers and negociants, who will present the 2007 vintage as well as thousands of retailers, importers and restaurateurs looking to augment their offerings. The Loire is the third largest wine region in France, the second largest producer of sparkling wines and, perhaps most important, the foremost producer of wine sold in restaurants in France. This makes the fair an important and competitive event for all involved.
Sixty-eight Loire Valley appellations will be represented. Organizers expect close to 10,000 visitors from over 20 countries [on 5 continents (8% from the United States)], including buyers for large-volume distributors, cellar masters, wine merchants, wholesalers, importers, exporters, agents, brokers and sommeliers. “The Salon in Angers is my favorite wine event,” according to David Lillie, co-proprietor of Chambers Street Wines in Manhattan and a specialist in Loire Wines. “It’s an opportunity to meet all the most important producers and taste the wines under optimal, uncrowded and unhurried conditions.”
More than just a trade fair, the Salon des Vins de Loire is also a place for wine professionals to take stock of the year’s production, and enjoy a wide variety of events and activities, including seminars, lectures, the ‘Concours des Ligers’ (a competition to honor the most successful Loire wines of the year), the Best Loire Valley Wines Young Sommelier competition, a wine blog competition and gala evenings in some of the magnificent châteaux around Angers.
In addition to promoting their wines, the producers and members of the trade use the fair as an opportunity to renew acquaintances and make new contacts. Some producers host dinners at their properties for their colleagues, potential clients and the press, and there is an air of easy-going festivity, warm informality that is characteristic of the Loire Valley.
For more information and to register, go to www.salondesvinsdeloire.com. The Salon des Vins de Loire is open to the trade and media only.
