A NEW ERA OF SYNERGIES ACROSS FOOD AND BEVERAGE
The launch of this dedicated Food and Beverage division is a significant development for Comexposium. It brings together the SIAL Network, Salon du Chocolat, Gourmet Selection, Salon du Fromage, Djazagro and all wine and spirits events under a single structure. In practical terms, it groups together everything related to food and drink, reinforcing coherence between the drinks industry and the wider food sector.
This new division is being rolled out for spring 2026 under the direction of Rodolphe Lameyse. The objective is to create stronger operational and strategic synergies between food and drinks exhibitions, aligning international development, content programmes and buyer strategies. For professionals active across both categories, this integrated approach is expected to open up new opportunities for cross sector collaboration and market analysis.
Within this broader context, Wine Paris 2026 illustrated the momentum of the drinks industry. Organised by Vinexposium, the show has steadily grown into a key annual meeting point for wines and spirits. This year’s edition confirmed that trajectory with strong attendance, a broader product offer and a visible institutional presence.
The 2026 event welcomed 63,541 trade visitors from 169 countries, with 51 per cent coming from outside France, up 20.75 per cent. A total of 6,537 exhibitors from 63 countries took part, 51 per cent of them international, representing a 20 per cent increase. Over three days, 112,462 industry professionals moved through the halls, creating a dense and active business environment.
In practical terms, the focus remained firmly on deals and distribution. The official business matching platform generated 25,958 pre-scheduled meetings, up 28 per cent, and the presence of top buyers rose by 20 per cent. Producers, importers and distributors used the show to secure listings, explore new markets and strengthen partnerships in what remains a challenging economic climate.
A global marketplace under one roof
For the first time, the Paris edition operated as a true three-in-one format, bringing together Wine Paris, Be Spirits and Be No as three distinct shows within a single integrated layout. Wine Paris remained dedicated to wines, Be Spirits focused on premium and craft spirits, and Be No was entirely devoted to alcohol-free alternatives.
This structure reflected current market dynamics. The drinks industry today includes spirits, ready-to-drink products and a fast-growing no- and low-alcohol segment alongside traditional wine categories. All drinks categories were represented within the Vinexposium ecosystem, from wines and spirits to beers, ciders, cocktails and alcohol-free labels.
Be Spirits gathered 370 exhibitors from 39 countries, 53 per cent international, up 28 per cent compared to last year. The visitor profile included a strong presence of specialist buyers and a significant number of international bartenders. Be No, the new dedicated space for alcohol-free products, hosted 64 exhibitors from 13 countries and presented more than 250 labels in a free tasting area.
For many companies, especially those operating across categories, the format made it easier to position themselves with a diversified portfolio, or to test alcohol-free extensions within the same professional environment.
This three-show model is set to be rolled out across Vinexposium’s international calendar, including Vinexpo Americas and Vinexpo Asia, ensuring consistency across regions while highlighting structural trends.
A platform for dialogue and policy
Beyond business, the 2026 edition of Wine Paris showed how closely the drinks industry is linked to political and trade developments. The show was inaugurated by Emmanuel Macron and attended by former President François Hollande, two serving French ministers, four foreign ministers and members of Parliament. Embassies from 37 countries were represented, alongside officials from the European Commission.
Over 400 public sector representatives took part. Round tables addressed free trade agreements between the European Union and Mercosur, as well as between the European Union and India, and discussions also examined the impact of tariffs from the United States.
The Academy programme delivered 239 sessions over three days, covering innovation, brand positioning, mixology, emerging markets and the development of no and low alcohol products. According to organisers, 1,894 media representatives from 49 countries attended, 57 per cent of them international, up 25 per cent. This reinforced the show’s role as a space where commercial strategy and regulatory questions are discussed side by side.
Nicolas Cuissard, Director of Wine Paris, stated, “Wine Paris 2026 reaffirms its central role for the global drinks industry. As both a marketplace, a platform for influence and a space for dialogue, the event has become a structuring meeting point to support the sector’s transformations and help shape its future.”
Stronger links with the wider food ecosystem
The integration of Wine events within the new Food and Beverage vertical gives additional depth to the relationship between drinks and leading Food exhibition platforms such as SIAL Paris. Wines and spirits are closely connected to gastronomy, retail and international distribution networks. By aligning these events under a single division, Comexposium is building a more coherent approach across the global food sector.
For SIAL Paris, positioned as a global meeting point for food innovation, this closer alignment provides a broader perspective on how beverages evolve alongside food products. Trends such as premiumisation, sustainability and the rise of alcohol free alternatives increasingly shape both categories.
Wine Paris will return from 15 to 17 February 2027. Within the wider Comexposium Food and Beverage division, its development now forms part of a broader strategy designed to connect what is eaten and what is drunk, creating stronger synergies across international markets in the years ahead.
Image credits:
- Philippe Labeguerie
- Sébastien D’halloy
- Frédéric Speziale