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Half of the exhibitors came from Italy (1,600) and France (1,500), followed by Germany (1,000), overseas (600), Austria, Spain and Portugal. In addition, wineries from Poland, Estonia, Finland, Denmark, Armenia, the Azores, India and Japan also showed their portfolios. In Focus featured the new wines from all growing regions of the world, complemented by 300 spirit specialities. The most prominent exhibitor was pop star Sting, who presented the wines of his Il Palagio estate from Tuscany. The superstar sang three songs, including "Message in a bottle", at the wine presentation, which was surrounded by visitors and journalists.
According to Messe Düsseldorf, the number of visitors also "set new standards this year": A total of 58,500 trade visitors from 130 countries travelled to Prowein. In 2016, there were 55,700 from 126 countries. Every second visitor came from abroad. At least two thirds of all visitors were top decision-makers from their companies, the trade fair announced. According to the organisers, almost 60 percent of all trade visitors concluded business deals during the fair or planned to place orders after the fair. Every second visitor had also found new suppliers. "For three days, very concentrated business takes place in the halls. Among the visitors were mainly key players - important importers and representatives of large international retail chains. This year, the industry has once again shown how efficient and strong it is. There was an extremely high volume of orders and discussions about new business ideas", said Hans Werner Reinhard, Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf, summing up the course of the fair.
The exhibitors' range of products and services was supplemented this year by additional focal points. These included the "Champagne Lounge", the "Organic World" on the subject of organic wine, the Mundus Vini tasting zone or the "fizzz Lounge". The special show "Same but different" was all about innovative and unusual concepts. The supporting programme consisted of around 500 tastings and events that took place at the exhibitors' stands or in the Prowein Forum. The offers were aimed equally at the trade and the gastronomy. Among others, the well-known British wine critic Jancis Robinson presented her personal favourites.
Now the organisers are turning their attention to Asia. From 8 to 11 May, ProWine Asia will start for the first time in Hong Kong, after its successful debut in Singapore in April 2016. The upcoming ProWein will take place in Düsseldorf from 18 to 20 March 2018. (uka)
(Photo: Messe Düsseldorf, Constanze Tillmann)