Held deep in the heart of Languedoc-Roussillon, France’s leading organic winegrowing region, MILLESIME BIO is a business crossroads putting the spotlight on dialogue and exchanges through a host of conferences and self-serve sampling corners. From now on, the trade fair will be exclusively open to certified organic wines (converted wines are no longer accepted). From January 23rd to 25th, over 600 exhibitors hailing from fifteen countries or so and about 3,200 visitors will be expected in Montpellier. This kind of success confirms the growing passion for organic products.

Strictly reserved for exhibitors certified as organic and coming from all countries and wine-producing regions, and exclusively open to professional buyers, MILLESIME BIO aims at gathering producers from the world over to taste and sample quality wines made from organic farming. Created in 1993 by a handful of winegrowers in Languedoc-Roussillon, MILLESIME BIO brings together every year the world’s leading wine buyers: wholesalers, brokers, wine merchants, sommeliers, catering establishments, importers etc.

The trade fair is the scene of a host of events intended to foster discovery, dialogue and conviviality: self-serve sampling corners, the awarding of diplomas for the “Millésime Bio Challenge" contest, as well as conferences about organic wine and world markets. The “Winegrowers Gala”, featuring an organic cocktail enjoyed to music, and the tasting of wines that received awards at the contest, is also a highlight that illustrates the conviviality found throughout the trade fair.

Last year’s MILLESIME BIO had gathered 560 exhibitors and 3,200 professional visitors, 21.5% of which were foreign. 

The "Millésime Bio Challenge" contest: a showcase for excellence
A worldwide competition intended to give exposure to the quality of wines made from organic farming, it has been held yearly since 2008 to reward the best organic wines. This year, the jury made of wine professionals will be tasting close to 800 samples. The diplomas will be officially awarded during the January 24th winegrower’s cocktail, where a bar will be especially arranged to help all present taste the winning wines. 

Key figures from the French organic wines market:
With over 50,000 hectares under organic production mode in France in 2010 against 39,000 hectares in 2009, organic vine growing rose by 28%. The amount of winegrowing farms was up 30% from 3,024 in 2009 to 3,945 in 2010. 3 French regions are among the front runners: Languedoc-Roussillon (16,462 hectares, up 30% over one year), followed by the Provence-Côte d’Azur Region (11,209 hectares, up 25% over one year) and Aquitaine (7,715 hectares, up 41% over one year). On a global scale, France makes a good showing, coming third after Spain and Italy.

For more information: www.millesime-bio.com