The 12th edition of the world’s premier wine fair, Vinoble, featured fortified and sweet wines from all over the globe, with wines from La Palma flying the flag for the Canaries
The 12th edition of Vinoble, the International Fair for Fortified and Noble Wines, held at the Alcázar of Jerez de la Frontera from May 26th to 28th, was a resounding success. The Canary Islands, represented by the Canary Islands Institute of Agri-Food Quality (ICCA), once again participated as an exhibitor, showcasing a selection of wineries from the region’s diverse denominations of origin.
José Luis González, head of the ICCA stand at Vinoble, expressed disappointment that DO Lanzarote and Tenerife’s DO Tacoronte-Acentejo weren’t present, stating, ‘It’s unfortunate that a specialized fair for sweet wines, a sector where the Canary Islands excel, lacks representation from all our islands. Our natural sweet wines, particularly the aromatic and volcanic Malvasías, are renowned for their exceptional quality. While Lanzarote leads in production, La Palma and Tenerife also contribute significantly.’
González further emphasized the event’s significance, stating, ‘Vinoble targets professionals and specialized press, offering unparalleled global reach. This impact is evident at the Vinos de Canarias stand, where visitors are consistently impressed by our wines. Their enthusiasm is contagious, as returning visitors often bring friends along.’ He concluded by affirming the ICCA’s commitment to future participation in Vinoble.
Vinoble shattered attendance records this year, welcoming over 10,000 visitors. With 268 accredited media in attendance, the event reached an estimated audience of nearly 55,800. The fair boasted an international flavour, attracting visitors from Germany, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Cyprus, Denmark, Slovenia, Costa Rica, and New Zealand.
Alongside the renowned Canary Island aromatic Malvasías from La Palma, the event showcased a diverse range of sweet wines. From the biologically aged treasures of Jerez, Montilla, Málaga, Huelva, Alicante, Valencia, and Navarra to the captivating, sweet wines of Catalonia’s Priorato, Terra Alta, and Corpinnat regions, as well as Rueda and Toro, Vinoble offered a comprehensive exploration of the world’s finest sweet wines.
The international spotlight extended beyond Europe, encompassing Portugal’s Port wines, France’s Sauternes and Barsac, and its wines from the Loire Valley. Historic Hungarian Tokaji, Japan’s Sakes, and Germany’s Auslese, Beerenauslese, and Trockenbeerenauslese were also present, alongside a presence of sweet wines from the New World and Oceania, including Canada, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, among others.
