London International Wine Trade Fair: 22nd May 2012

 

Wines of Portugal

A few photos taken amongst the aisles on first day of the 2012 London International Wine Trade Fair.

 France 

Romania 

Empty space@EXCEL

The London International Wine Trade Fair is suffering from the huge success of Prowein that now attracts around three times as many visitors and LIWTF does. A few years ago LIWTF filled all the space available plus had a separate area for spirits exhibitors – DISTIL. Now Distil is incorporated and there is now space in the exhibition hall which is not being used.     

 London City Bond boat 

David Hogg, Jeremy Pearson and Bob May: a trio of gentlemen facing a tough three days welcoming visitors to the LCB boat

Tim Stanley-Clarke: not sure what the distinguished doyen of the Port trade is doing with a £20 note on the Decanter stand. Perhaps best not to ask!!

2012 Born Digital Wine Awards presentation

Some photos from the 2012 Born Digital Wine Awards presentation 23rd May 2012

The social Triumverate: Gabriella Opaz, Robert Mcintosh and Ryan Opaz

Robert@theshirt.co.uk 

Justin Howard-Sneyd of Laithwaites, one of the sponsors of the Born Digital Awards 

Richard Ross chair of the judges 

Jim on winning the Best Investigative Wine Story Award

 Damien Wilson 

Part of the audience 

 Mariella Beukers

Château de l'Aulée: pique-nique avec un vigneron indépendant

Barbecuing sausages with Château de l'Aulée in the background   

Les Vignerons Indépendants are holding a giant picnic across the French wine regions this weekend. Yesterday we went across to Château de l'Aulée just to the east of Azay-le-Rideau. Marielle and Arnaud Henrion are hosting picnics over the weekend, so there is still a chance to go today or tomorrow. l'Aulée specialises in sparkling wine, particularly Crémant – the quality is good and the prices are very reasonable (credit cards accepted). 

Their Crémant de Loire Brut was offered as the apéritif, then for the picnic there was the 2011 Azay-le-Rideau white (100% Chenin Blanc) and the easy drinking 2011 Chinon, which comes from the Henrion's six hectares of vines in Savigny, from a bag-in-box.     

The idea is simple you take your picnic and the vignerons provide the wine with usually the possibility of a visit and tasting. This is the second of these picnics that I have been at as I went last year to Frédéric Mabileau's picnic in Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil. On both occasions we have all sat together and everyone soon gets chatting and even sharing food. Great fun!   

Here is a list of Loire vignerons holding pique-niques this weekend plus details elsewhere in France.  

 Marielle Henrion and two of the picnickers 

 It's a man's job!

 The château and tables in the shade 

Santé!

 All ages with the vines in the background