Wine Paris 2024: Are you ready for more sustainability? – Business France Nordics

A new generation of French producers ensuring a sustainable future

In light of climate change, the wine industry is rethinking its practices and adopting more sustainable production methods. From determining to grow more resistant grape varieties to the traceability of products, vinification and transport, winegrowers must invent the winegrowing of tomorrow.

Sustainability is one of the most important buying criteria when consumers choose their wines today. In the Nordics, in particular, consumers prefer to choose sustainable options which has resulted in a growing demand. For instance, at the Swedish monopoly Systembolaget, 16% of listed wines are organic and 26% of wines sold are organic!

French wine regions have put sustainability on their agenda and are developing new policies to preserve vineyards in order to prepare for the future. For example, Champagne has experimental vineyards to test grape varieties that are more resistant to climate change. In the coming years, this movement will grow further with a new generation of wine producers eager to ensure a sustainable future for the next generation.

+20% of French organic vineyards in one year

The production of sustainable wines is growing in France. In January 2023, over 36,200 French farms were HVE-certified, a growth of +45% in one year. This movement is clearly led by the winegrowing industry as they represent 62.3% of certified HVE-certified farms. With a sustainable approach to the vines and the soil, the biodynamic movement is also strong in France. Led by Return to Terroir, the group created in 2001 counts 140 members in France.

By September 2022, organic accounted for 20% of all vineyards in France. This number is growing quickly as organic vineyards accounted for 110 320 hectares in 2022, +19.9% compared to 2021. With 60 484 hectares in conversion, Millésime Bio predicts that France will have the 2nd largest organic vineyard in the world by the end of 2023.

A trend also impacting the production of cider & beer

Among alcoholic beverages, spirits, ciders, and beers have also converted to sustainable production methods. The number of French sustainable breweries has grown exponentially since 2018, +147%. Currently, there are 555 organic breweries in France, representing 13.6% of the brands available on the market. The growth is significant, with 15 new organic breweries in 2022.

In their desire to meet the expectations of many consumers, cider producers have increasingly developed their practices in favour of the environment during the last years. This goes from the selection of organic apples to the choice of production methods and packaging. The production of sustainable cider is constantly evolving, attracting more producers every year. They offer ciders that are authentic and typical of their origin. As a result, the area under organic farming has risen from 10% in 2017 to 30% in 2021.

Sustainability at the heart of Wine Paris

The 5th Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris is due to take place from 12 to 14 February 2024 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. The Vinexposium group’s flagship exhibition is readying to ramp up the experience and is inviting wine and spirits professionals from across the globe to join this premier event in 2024. February 12-13-14 promise to be action-packed with even more regions, countries, conversations, inspiration and business relations to get rolling and consolidate. On top of this, the same enthusiastic welcome by the teams at Vinexposium is sure to make this event an unforgettable highlight of the business calendar. The 2024 edition will mark a turning point in the history of Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris whose growth and legitimacy are all-set to get a significant boost.

• +72 % international exhibitors and 50 producer countries attending.
• +28 % extra floor space across the exhibition to welcome the 3,900 exhibitors.
• +25 % floor space in the Be Spirits area designed for spirits, craft drinks, no/low, beers & ciders.
• 100 % of France’s wine regions under one roof.

Wine Paris is undoubtedly the fair to discover new sustainable production methods, and discussions on this topic will be numerous among professionals. Winegrowers from all French wine regions and abroad, focusing on organic wine, will showcase their wine and tell you the story behind their wine and the measures they are putting in place to be more sustainable. Being a hot topic, this will also be the subject of one roundtable where 4 experts will share their knowledge.

Do not miss this unique opportunity and get your ticket!