Walking into Wine Paris for the very first time feels a little like stepping through the wardrobe into Narnia — if Narnia had seven vast halls, wall‑to‑wall winemakers, and a constant hum of swirling, sipping, and excited conversation. We arrived not quite knowing what to expect, and within minutes realised we were in for two unforgettable days of discovery.
Armed with a plan (and a fortifying coffee), we set off to reconnect with wine friends from near and far, taste new vintages, and catch up with the makers behind the bottles.
Our first welcome came from the wonderful team at Gómez Cruzado, celebrating their 140th anniversary this year. A quick tasting of their new releases, including the Rioja Blanco which is sublime, set the tone. Following a chance meeting with the lovely Leanne Amplett from Sileni Cellars New Zealand, who we’ve not seen for over 7 years and who greeted like it was yesterday, we said a speedy hello to Paul and Louis Boutinot of Waterkloof, enjoyed a palate‑brightening glass of vintage sparkling Sussex with Beth from Henners, and headed straight to our first masterclass of the fair - a deep dive into Chile with our organic favourites, Emiliana. Fascinating to hear their story and origins of their path to leading the way with organics. A few old Adobe favourites may well be making a return…
A standout Chilean moment was catching up with our friend Felipe Müller, twice Chilean Winemaker of the Year, whose wines continue to showcase the extraordinary quality and unique terroir of the Limarí Valley. A fantastic opportunity to hear taste with this incredibly talented man.
Across the halls, there was a definite buzz around low‑ and no‑alcohol wines. We were genuinely impressed by what we tasted from Nieto, who are crafting options with real flavour, freshness, and structure, and a few fun surprises too. They remain a serious Argentinian producer whose Malbecs are top classics.
A lively catch‑up with our Boutinot friends followed, where we shared a glass of Chenin with JD from Wilderberg, South Africa. He told us how close the recent fires came to their property. Thankfully the vines escaped major damage, and harvest is already underway.
Then it was a whistle‑stop trip to the South of France for a top tasting with Chante Cigale (Châteauneuf‑du‑Pape) and Château L’Ermitage, both showing fabulous regional character with passion and pride. We rounded off the day with our lovely friend Laura from Ferghettina whose quiet calm is always welcome as are her iconic square‑bottled Franciacortas which charm us every single time.
Day Two — Sunshine, Vision, and a Touch of Sicily
Day two began with a pre‑breakfast burst of bottled sunshine from Domaine Tropez, home of ‘Crazy’. We had our first glimpse of the new vintages, fresh, poised, and absolutely ready for rosé season the moment the sun appears.
Next came an inspiring conversation with Timothé from Château Trianon, whose vision for Bordeaux’s next generation is genuinely exciting. His refreshingly unstuffy approach to these classic Saint‑Émilion wines left us buzzing and we’re hoping to bring him and his mad enthusiasm to the UK so you can meet him too.
A quick sherry stop with Fernando de Castilla delivered a fortifying Fino and their 97‑point Antique Sherry, followed by a pit stop with our favourite Gremillet Champagne, whose rosé was absolutely on point. Finally, we wrapped up our whirlwind tour with a sensory trip to Sicily with Donnafugata, tasting their volcanic whites and the sublime Ben Ryé — sunshine and sweetness in a glass, and the perfect closing note to our first Wine Paris adventure.
Leaving Inspired
For a first visit, Wine Paris was everything we hoped for and much more than we imagined. A global village of winemakers, ideas, and stories. We left with tired feet, full notebooks, and lots of exciting ideas for the year ahead.
If this is what our first Wine Paris felt like, it certainly won’t be our last