Vinexpo Asia 2025 returns to Singapore with expanded academy and focus on Asian wine and spirits markets

Vinexpo Asia 2025 is set to return to Singapore from May 27 to 29, bringing with it an expanded Vinexpo Academy program aimed at addressing the rapid changes in the global wine and spirits industry. The event will take place at Marina Bay Sands and is expected to attract around 11,000 trade visitors from 70 countries. Attendees will include importers, distributors, hospitality professionals, and e-commerce stakeholders, all seeking to gain insights into the evolving market landscape.

The Vinexpo Academy will be a central feature of the event, offering more than 30 sessions that include masterclasses, panel discussions, conferences, and tastings. These sessions are designed to provide practical knowledge and forward-looking perspectives for industry professionals. The content has been curated in response to ongoing shifts in consumer behavior, emerging markets, and the premiumization trend within the wine and spirits sector.

Key partners for the Academy include IWSR and the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI). The program will cover a range of topics relevant to the current state of the industry. One focus is on understanding Asian markets, which are increasingly important for global growth. Sessions such as "Essential Consumer Insights for South Asia" will present findings from a recent consumer survey conducted by YouGov in March 2025. This session will analyze consumption trends, shopper behavior, perceptions of wine-producing countries, and the roles of key markets like Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia.

Another session titled "China’s Comeback on the Market," led by journalist Natalie Wang of Vino Joy News, will examine factors driving renewed growth in China’s wine sector. Emily Neill from IWSR will offer a global perspective on changing patterns in beverage alcohol consumption, including moderation trends and shifting social habits.

Vinexpo Academy will also address emerging consumption trends and cultural shifts. A panel discussion comparing South East Asia wine trends with global patterns will look at how lighter wines and low- or no-alcohol options are gaining traction in the region. The diversity of Chinese wines will be explored in a session moderated by Jennifer Docherty MW, highlighting regions such as Xinjiang, Yunnan, Ningxia, Gansu, Shandong, Shanxi, Hebei, and Northeast China. This session aims to showcase how Chinese wines have improved in quality and are gaining international recognition.

The rise of other Asian wine-producing countries will also be discussed. Experts including Annette Scarfe MW and Reeze Choi will share insights on developments in Japan, Thailand, India, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

Hospitality trends are another focus area. In a session called "Reinventing Pairings: Wine & Asian Gastronomy," Richard Hemming MW will join Janice Chi and Aaron Jacobson to discuss how local cuisines are influencing new approaches to wine pairing.

Several high-profile figures from the wine world will lead sessions at Vinexpo Academy. Andreas Larsson will present on French terroirs with Maison Wessman. Reeze Choi will host a blind tasting challenge in partnership with ASI and Vinexposium. Stephen Wong MW will lead a tasting of Austrian wines selected for their appeal to Asian palates. Benjamin Hasko MW MS will introduce buyers to creative French wines in a tasting organized by Anivin de France.

Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Vinexposium, emphasized that Vinexpo Academy is not just following market trends but helping to shape them. He highlighted the release of the second issue of "Voice of the Industry" at Vinexpo Asia as part of this commitment to providing data-driven insights and fostering dialogue within the sector.

Vinexpo Asia 2025 aims to provide attendees with both a broad overview of global developments and targeted insights into Asian markets. The event’s comprehensive program reflects its role as a leading platform for knowledge exchange in the wine and spirits trade across the Asia Pacific region.