London International Wine Fair offers more for on-trade
The London International Wine Fair will open at Excel in less than one month’s time, and this year it has more to offer restaurateurs, publicans and anyone else in the on-trade than ever before.
If you have not yet earmarked the date in your diary and are looking to liven up your wine list, fancy meeting some of the people who make the wine you serve or simply want to taste some of the 20,000 wines on show, then register for free online now.
For more information on what’s on, read BigHospitality’s special on-trade focused guide to the fair.
Award-winning wines and wine-list help
More than 300 wines selected by the world’s top sommeliers and on-trade buyers will be on taste in the On-Trade Lounge throughout the show. The wines, all gold or shortlisted wines from this year`s Sommelier Wine Awards, are a selection of European, New World and sparkling.
“The Sommelier Wine Awards is unlike any other competition as it is aimed solely at the needs of the on-trade, making the lounge a must-visit destination for all those who work in a restaurant, hotel or gastropub," says event director James Murray.
A Wine List Clinic will also be in operation in the On-Trade Lounge where anyone working in the trade can get help on how to improve their wine offering. Leading sommeliers and wine experts will be on hand to talk you through your wine lists and menus to find ways to add quality and value to them.
To book an appointment at the Wine List Clinic, email vzovor@vzovorzntnmvar.pb.hx before the show.
Corking offer
Restaurants across the capital will be allowing visitors and exhibitors the chance to drink their own wines when dining at their restaurants throughout the course of the show.
Sketch, Bentley’s, Lindsay House, St Pancras Grand and the restaurant at Tate London, are among those who have teamed up with Square Meal to run a corkage offer.
From May 10 to 14, anyone taking their own wine to participating restaurants will be able to drink it with their meal for a corkage fee.
Hamish Anderson the sommelier at Tate said: “With the world of wine looking to sell to the still vibrant London market it seemed a great idea to let buyers experience the best wines of their choice in a selection of restaurants throughout the capital.”
Eat Argentinian
For the first time, the LIWF will feature an Argentine restaurant. The Cantina Argentina, sponsored by Wines of Argentina and run by Creativeevents, will serve steaks, Patagonian lamb and empanadas alongside pasta, risotto and fish dishes – a nod to Argentina’s Italian and Spanish heritage. There will be a 16-bin wine list featuring some of Argentina’s wines, including its signature varietals: Malbec, Torrontes and Bonarda, as well as some sparkling and dessert wines.
Wine Faults Workshop
Want to make sure you can spot a faulty wine before your customers can? The Wine Faults Workshop is a practical session run by independent scientist and wine-maker Pascal Chatonnet on May 13 that examines the most common faults found in wines today.
This year the focus will be on reductive characters and excessive level of sulphur compounds - an increasingly occurring issue. Delegates will be able to nose these faults in wines closed by different stoppers. Admission is free, but you must register first by emailing fionaccampbell@btopenworld.com.
Take a Masterclass
Want to find out more about a specific region`s wines? Wines of Chile, Wines of Argentina ViniPortugal and Trentino wines are some of the trade bodies who will be giving the lowdown on their region`s wines and helping give you a better understanding of trends and to wow your customers.
For more information about the LIWF and to register to attend visit the official website www.londonwinefair.com
