What to expect from Wine Paris 2026

"From the very beginning, the ambition was clear: to build an international event designed for professionals, with a strong focus on business efficiency and encounters that matter. Wine Paris was conceived as a working platform for the global wine and spirits trade," says Cuissard.

Vinexpo Paris and Wine Paris first united in 2020, and since then the show has gone from strength to strength, recording consistent growth in attendance.

"Over time, the event has naturally broadened its scope, opening up to a wider range of categories and market players, and bringing together producers, buyers, distributors and other key stakeholders within the same ecosystem," he continues. "What we see today is the result of that positioning. Producers come because they know they will meet buyers, importers and distributors from all major markets within a short and effective timeframe. Media and institutional stakeholders now attend the show in large numbers, reflecting the growing influence Wine Paris has gained across the industry."

Wine Paris director Nicolas Cuissard

This year's edition of the show, taking place at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles from Monday 9 to Wednesday 11 February, is expected to attract more than 6,000 exhibitors and more than 60,000 visitors, making it one of the key events in the world drinks industry's calendar.

Confronting challenges

These are difficult days for the sector – declining consumption and rising costs arguably being the two most severe problems for the beverage alcohol trade – but Wine Paris has an even more important role to play as a trade fair when the circumstances are like this, according to Cuissard.

"When the market becomes more complex, professionals need places where they can see clearly and talk directly," he argues. "Wine Paris provides a structured environment where producers, buyers and partners can meet face to face, exchange openly and adapt to new realities together. In difficult periods, nothing replaces direct contact: understanding markets, sensing demand, building trust."

Image credit: Jean-Bernard Nadeau

"Wine Paris is not about denying challenges," Cuissard suggests. "It is about being pragmatic. By bringing together a very diverse international ecosystem in one place, the show helps professionals save time, identify opportunities and strengthen long-term relationships. In uncertain times, this ability to reconnect supply and demand is essential for the global wine and spirits trade."

"There is also something less tangible, but equally important: the atmosphere," he argues. "Wine Paris is a professional event, but it is also a convivial one. People come prepared to work, but they also come with the desire to exchange, to reconnect, and to build relationships in a positive environment. That balance between efficiency and conviviality is a key part of the show’s identity."

New features

Part of why Wine Paris has proven to be such a vital platform for the industry is due to the fact that it adapts each year.

"Wine Paris evolves year after year, always in step with what is happening in the market," says Cuissard.

One such new area for 2026 is Be No, a new area dedicated to no-alcohol drinks with leading brands present plus 45 minute Be No Talks to discuss hot topics in the alcohol-free drinks sector.

"Consumption habits are changing," Cuissard explains, "and producers are adapting. With this addition, we acknowledge a broader spectrum of uses, innovations and consumer expectations that now exist within the industry."

These dedicated areas of the show have become hallmarks of Wine Paris. Another such example is Be Spirits, which was launched in 2020 and, for the first time, will be treated as a standalone event in 2026.

Image credit: Philippe Labeguerie

"Be Spirits continues to grow and affirm its identity, with its own ecosystem, audience and creative energy, reflecting the evolution of spirits, mixology and new consumption occasions."

"Beyond that," Cuissard continues, "we continue to work on very concrete aspects: sustainability initiatives, visitor circulation, Academy content, and business matching tools. All these evolutions have the same objective — to make Wine Paris an ever more efficient and comfortable working environment for professionals."

The Italian presence

Wine Paris is a truly international event, with representatives from around 155 global markets flocking to the French capital over its three days. However, it has become particularly important for the Italian wine trade, with Italy contributing a sizeable contingent of both visitors and exhibitors.

Image credit: Philippe Labeguerie

'Today, Italy is the second largest exhibiting country, just behind France, and in 2026 Italian producers will occupy Hall 5 across two levels and Hall 2.1. This clearly reflects both the strength of Italian wines and the strong mobilisation of producers," reveals Cuissard. "Italian brands are among the most dynamic and export-oriented in the world. Wine Paris offers them direct access to a global audience, with buyers from Europe, the Americas, Asia and many other markets all present at the same time."

"There is also a shared mindset," he continues. "Italian producers come to Wine Paris to do business, to position their wines and spirits internationally and to showcase the diversity of their regions in a professional, global context. Paris functions as an international hub — a place where the global drinks trade naturally meets."

Gambero Rosso

In that spirit, Gambero Rosso will be hosting a special day of tastings and awards in Room 7 - Hall 7.1 on Wednesday 11 February, the final day of the Wine Paris show.

The day begins at 10:00 with the start of the Grand Tasting, which runs until 17:00. This will involve some 50 top wineries, , producers who have reached the level of Tre Bicchieri, each presenting three different wines.

At 13:00 on 11 February in Room 2 - The Masterclasses - Hall 4 there will be a masterclass hosted by Lorenzo Ruggeri and leading French wine journalist Raoul Salamà, the class, titled Vini Rari – Beyond the ordinary, which will showcase a selection of prestigious, rare Italian wines – some of which will only be possible to taste at this event.

Image credit: Philippe Labeguerie

At 15:30 there will then be the ceremony for the Top Italian Restaurants, which recognises the French bars and restaurants that best celebrate Italian food and drink.

"Wine Paris offers the right conditions for high-level tastings because of the profile of the people attending the show," says Cuissard. "The audience is made up of professionals who are not only buyers, but also opinion leaders — importers, sommeliers, journalists and educators — people who are genuinely curious, knowledgeable and attentive to rare wines and strong stories. Hosting exceptional tastings at Wine Paris means placing them in an environment where attention, expertise and openness are already there."

"Collaborations with reference media such as Gambero Rosso naturally enrich the event and fully align with our ambition: to make Wine Paris a place where business, culture and excellence meet," he concludes.