Successful second ever Wine Prague 2016
Held between 23rd and 25th May at the PVA Expo Praha Letň any exhibitiongrounds, Wine Prague 2016 was a glorious success. Aimed predominantly at wineprofessionals, the event recorded almost double the number of visitors comparedto last year's premiere, expanding its exhibition space by 62 per cent.
The three-day event was hosted by a total of 383 winemakers and wine traders, attended by a whopping 8 950 visitors. As such it fulfi lled expectations earning it status as the largest wine event on the calendar. A total of 6 800 m2 of exhibition space at PVA Expo Praha Letň any was devoted to winemakers from the Czech Republic and abroad, wine distributors and above all visitors - comprising the HORECA sector, the professional public and private customers. Actual tastings at exhibitor stands also formed part of the fair alongside a diverse accompanying programme. In the middle hall regular presentations were held on the Guide to the best wines of the Czech Republic coordinated by authors of the publication as well as the owners of wineries whose wines featured. Visitors were able to attend thematic lectures and tastings including cheeses, duck specialties as well as announcing of the results of Oenoforum - the Czech international competition. Controlled tastings from the individual VOC Znojmo wineries were regularly held in an original wine bus in the fi rst hall while professional seminars went on in the tasting halls. A number of stars were involved here including Germany's best sommelier Justin Leone, inventor of the special Coravin bottle opening system Greg Lambrecht and Austrian Master of Wine Andreas Wickhoff . In his presentation of Austrian wines, director of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board Willi Klinger presented Austrian wines which visitors were able to sample and receive direct consultations on with 22 representatives from Austrian wineries on their shared stand. The high level of participation from local Czech wine guilds grouped into alliances or appellations was also noteworthy. This provided visitors with the opportunity to sample an entire portfolio of wines which the societies use to profi le themselves. These included winemakers from Velkobílovice, the Alliance of Winemakers from Dunajovské kopce, the V8 Alliance of Winemakers, the Classical Sparkling Wine Society, VOC Modré hory, the Alliance of Slovácko Winemakers, the Czech Wine Guild, Independent Winemakers of the Czech Republic and the EKOVÍN Society. The growing interest in Wine Prague is testimony to the fact that the wine industry is garnering ever more appeal and enticing more and more professionals and fans, which in turn, leads to greater emphasis on ensuring quality wines on the Czech market. Next year's third Wine Prague is scheduled to take place from 29th to 31st May 2017.
