Wine Paris 2026 Draws Record International Crowd as Global Beverage Industry Converges in Paris

Wine Paris 2026 closed its doors on February 11, confirming its position as a central meeting point for the global wine and spirits industry. The event, held in Paris from February 9 to 11, attracted 63,541 trade visitors from 169 countries, with international attendees making up 51% of the total—a 20.75% increase from the previous year. The number of exhibitors also rose by 20%, reaching 6,537 from 63 countries, half of whom were international.

Nicolas Cuissard, Director of Wine Paris, described the event as a marketplace, a platform for influence, and a space for dialogue. He emphasized its role in supporting industry transformation and shaping the sector’s future. The event took place against a backdrop of economic uncertainty and trade tensions, but organizers reported strong business activity. There were 25,958 pre-scheduled meetings through the business matching platform, up 28%, and a 20% increase in top buyer attendance. Over three days, 112,462 industry professionals participated in the exhibition.

Wine Paris has expanded beyond wine to include all beverage categories—spirits, beers, ciders, cocktails, ready-to-drink products (RTDs), and no/low-alcohol options—reflecting changes in consumer preferences and market trends. The event is organized by Vinexposium and now serves as a comprehensive ecosystem for the beverage industry.

This year’s edition marked a strategic milestone with increased participation from public officials. For the first time, French President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated the event. Former President François Hollande also attended, along with two current French ministers and four foreign ministers. Embassies from 37 countries were represented, including 21 ambassadors. Representatives from the European Commission and members of Parliament from various political backgrounds were present as well.

The presence of these officials highlighted Wine Paris’s new role as a structured space for dialogue between industry leaders, governments, and European institutions. The event is no longer just a trading venue but has become a strategic platform where the collective vision of the sector is discussed.

Geo-economic issues and societal developments were prominent topics at this year’s show. Three round tables focused on recent free trade agreements between the European Union and Mercosur and India, as well as U.S. tariffs and broader international trade tensions. The Academy program featured 239 sessions over three days—including conferences, round tables, and masterclasses—covering innovation, brand strategies, consumption trends, mixology, emerging markets, and no/low-alcohol product development.

New content areas included the Be Spirits Stage and Be No Stage. These spaces offered specialized programs on spirits and alcohol-free alternatives. Be Spirits brought together 370 exhibitors from 39 countries (53% international), up 28% from last year. National pavilions had a strong presence, and there was an increase in international bartenders attending for the first time. Be No debuted as a dedicated area for alcohol-free alternatives with 64 exhibitors from 13 countries and more than 250 labels available for tasting.

Ian Thomson, founder of Thomson & Scott Naughty (United Kingdom), said that in seven years he had never met so many people from such diverse countries in such a short time at any other event.

Media coverage also grew significantly this year. A total of 1,894 media representatives from 49 countries attended—57% of them international—marking a 25% increase over last year.

Wine Paris will return from February 15 to 17 in 2027. Organizers say they aim to further strengthen its international momentum and continue supporting market transformations as it consolidates its role as a global reference platform for wines and spirits. Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Vinexposium, said that Wine Paris has become a place where economic, institutional, and political stakeholders can come together to build the future of the industry.