Sparkling Wine Forum by EFFEVENT: a first at Vinitech Sifel 2024

Published on November 8, 2024 by Faustine Milard

From 26 to 28 November 2024, the Vinitech Sifel trade fair will be the exclusive venue for a joint stand bringing together researchers and innovative companies working in the sparkling wine sector. It is the fruit of a partnership between Bordeaux Events and More (organiser of the Vinitech Sifel trade fair) and EFFEVENT (a Champagne company which also organises the VITeff trade fair). This cluster is a major component of the "Parcours Effervescents" at the Vinitech Sifel trade show, offering an international platform dedicated to research and innovation in the sparkling wine sector. "We're delighted to be able to add an extra dimension to the Sparkling Wines Trail this year, thanks to the expertise of our partner EFFEVENT and the design of a comprehensive programme combining innovation players in the sector with tastings, round tables and masterclasses," says Emmanuel VIOLLET, Director of the Vinitech Sifel exhibition.

"Sparkling Wine Forum by EFFEVENT brings together key players from research and industry, united to propose innovative solutions to the current challenges facing the sparkling wine sector," explains Cyril EGOROFF, CEO of EFFEVENT. This showcase of innovation will address two thematic issues:

  1. The development of 'No/Low' sparkling wines with little or no alcohol: As consumer expectations evolve, innovations in this field will be at the heart of discussions and demonstrations. Sample tastings will also be on offer.
  2. The creation of new types of sparkling wine: In response to climate change and declining consumption of still wines, exhibitors at the Sparkling Wine Forum by EFFEVENT will be exploring changes in production processes and techniques, as well as the emergence of new players and new sparkling wine-producing regions, such as Belgium. 


EFFEVENT BRINGS TOGETHER LEADING PLAYERS

Sparkling Wine Forum by EFFEVENT will host renowned researchers, companies and institutions, each contributing their unique expertise:

  • Station œnotechnique de Champagne: A world specialist in products and advice for the production of sparkling wines, it supports a number of players in the creation of new bubbles, both in France and abroad
  • Geisenheim Institute of Oenology (Germany): A cutting-edge research centre in oenology and wine-making technologies, presenting the results of recent research into the production of sparkling wines with little or no alcohol. Technical tastings of sparkling wines made from new grape varieties that are particularly well-suited to more northerly terroirs will also be on offer
  • GAI France & KH TEC: These technological combinations, with the dealcoholisation system offered by KH TEC combined with GAI France's electropneumatic wine-drawing technology, make it possible to produce No/Low alcohol quality wines
  • Le Chai Sobre: France's newest centre for the production of dealcoholised wines, in particular sparkling wines, located in south-west France
  • B&S Tech: Start-up with expertise in the development of light, non-alcoholic drinks, from upstream R&D to the packaging of dealcoholised sparkling wines.


A PROGRAMME FULL OF DISCOVERIES

  • Discovering the sparkling wines of tomorrow: 

A number of technical tastings will be held on the stand, featuring a selection of alcohol-free or low-alcohol (1° to 4°) sparkling wines obtained through various dealcoholisation processes. You will also be able to taste sparkling wines whose alcohol content has been adjusted by 1 to 2 degrees, an innovation in response to the effects of global warming. To illustrate the new production terroirs, there will also be a tasting of the vintage cuvée from the Chant d'Éole estate in Belgium.


  • A tasting masterclass on "No/Low alcohol sparkling wines: market trends and technical production protocols" will be held on Tuesday 26 November 2024 at 2pm and Wednesday 27 November at 2pm (Hall 1 - Wine & spirit profiling area):

This Masterclass will explore the latest trends in the low-alcohol sparkling wine market (particularly the US market), production methods, opportunities and limitations of No/Low wines. There will be a focus on the particularities of these wines from a technical point of view and the discovery of the keys to guaranteeing the quality of these wines according to reasoned operational protocols.

  • Two original round tables to help build tomorrow's solutions:
    • Tuesday 26 November 2024 at 4pm: "The latest innovations in no-low alcohol applied to sparkling wines" (Hall 3 - Forum Oeno)

This round table will present the latest advances in the partial or total dealcoholisation of sparkling wines. Lorenzo ITALIANO from the Geisenheim Institute of Oenology will present the latest studies on the quality of low/no alcohol sparkling wines and the use of CO2 as a replacement for ethanol. He will also be speaking alongside Andreas BLANK from KH TEC, a specialist in membrane contactor technologies and carbonation systems for dealcoholised wines. Stéphane BRIERE from B&S Tech will be sharing his expertise in the development of light, non-alcoholic beverages, while Romain LAHER from Chai sobre will be talking about the provision of dealcoholisation services. Consultant oenologist Christophe PAITIER will be contributing his expertise in oenological innovations and no/low-alcohol sparkling beverages. A tasting of no/low alcohol cuvées will be available after the round table on the "Sparkling Wine Forum by EFFEVENT" stand, Hall 3 - D0418.

    • Wednesday 27 November 2024 at 4pm: "Sparkling wines: conquering new terroirs" (Hall 3 - Forum Oeno)

This round table will highlight the emergence of new terroirs for sparkling wines. Laurent ETIENNE, production manager at Chant d'Éole, will share the exceptional adventure of this Belgian estate, which in 2010 began producing sparkling wines using the traditional method. Fabrice WEHRUNG, consultant oenologist at the Station Oenotechnique de Champagne, will talk about the technical challenges involved in producing a Premium quality sparkling wine in a new region, outside the historic production areas. A tasting of Chant d'Éole Réserve millésimée will be held at 5pm on the "Sparkling Wine Forum by EFFEVENT" stand, Hall 3 - D0418.