Sparkling Wine Forum: the program of the 2nd edition unveiled and enriched for Italy

Picture from Sparkling Wine Forum 2023 - Reims

The 2nd edition of the international symposium Sparkling Wine Forum, organized by the Champagne company EFFEVENT, will take place in Brescia (near Milan, Italy) on June 17 and 18, 2024. This annual event, held under the patronage of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), brings together leading researchers from the main sparkling wine-producing countries as well as companies in the sector around conferences and technical masterclasses to promote the latest innovations and propose new solutions to tomorrow's challenges:

> New consumer expectations: Representatives of Italian oenologists, wine merchants and sommeliers will provide keys to understanding the evolution of purchasing and consumption behaviour for sparkling wines in Italy. Winetech will also host a round table on the latest innovations from French startups to meet the new expectations of sparkling wine consumers.

> Adaptations to climate change: Etienne Neethling, lecturer and researcher in viticulture and oenology at the École Supérieure des Agricultures d'Angers, will put into perspective the adaptation of sparkling wines production from South Africa and the Loire area, offering a cross-sectional look at these two wine regions producing Chenin Blanc. The Franciacorta appellation, who hosts this second edition, will bring its expertise on Italian sparkling wines, with a focus on the techniques to deal with climate change (leaf surface management, use of anti-hail nets, precision irrigation, new resistant rootstocks, etc.). The representatives of this Italian consortium will also present the results of recent research work on artificial intelligence for the development of biodiversity in the vineyard.

> Sensory Analysis: Maria Carla Cravero, researcher at the Council for Research and Agricultural Economics (CREA), will discuss innovations in sparkling wine production with a focus on sensory aspects and the consumer's point of view. The Franciacorta consortium will also address the chromatic issue of rosé sparkling wines and their impact on tasting. He will also lead a tasting Masterclass on the typology of sparkling wine "saten".

> Oenology: Monika Christmann, Director of the Geisenheim Institute of Oenology, will speak about Estaan, a new oenological tannin that reduces SO2. Belinda Kemp, a researcher in viticulture and oenology in the UK at NIAB, will present her work on accelerating the formation and concentration of age-associated aromas in sparkling wines. Other speakers are scheduled, for example on the causes, prevention and treatment of the reduction of sparkling wines or the Moët Hennessy group, which will present the results of studies recently carried out at their research center located in Champagne.

> No/low: Matthias Schmitt, professor at the Institute of Oenology in Geisenheim (Germany), will present a study on the reduction of alcohol content in sparkling wines and new consumer expectations. A tasting masterclass will also be led by the Champagne Oenotechnique Station (Sofralab group) on several processes for controlling or reducing the alcohol content in sparkling wines with a tasting of different alcohol contents from new oenological programs and products.

> WHAT'S NEW IN THE SECOND EDITION

For its second edition, Sparkling Wine Forum is enriching its offer with the addition of tasting masterclasses. Participants will be able to taste several sparkling wines from new processes applied to viticulture and oenology. Companies in the sector will also present their latest innovations in oenological products. 

In addition to conferences and masterclasses, a continuous free tasting area will allow you to taste a selection of sparkling wines of various origins and production techniques, in the presence of representatives of Italian oenologists, wine merchants and sommeliers.

Finally, a networking dinner preceded by visits to Franciacorta wine estates will be offered on Monday 17 June to encourage exchanges and professional meetings.

Find a selection of the presentations of the first edition on the Sparkling Wine Forum website and take advantage of the preferential "early bird" rate on the ticketing of the 2024 edition!