The Slow Wine Fair, to be held in Bologna (Italy) at the end of February, is first and foremost the most important gathering of the international Slow Wine Coalition, which brings together everyone involved in the international wine chain, from farmers and viticulturalists to distributors and sommeliers. In this third edition more than 800 exhibitors from 25 countries are expected to participate, with almost 700 from Italy and more than 130 from all over the world. Among them there will be 40 exhibitors from France, 17 from Spain and Austria, and 7 from Germany. Over these days of meetings, discussions and debates, winemakers establish alliances and new projects. 

 Here you find a selection of stories from all around the world. 

 France- Germany: where Beaujolais meets Rheingau

After meeting at Slow Wine Fair 2023, Vignerons de Lantignié, a collective representing 14 slow winemakers in the Beaujolais region of France, and Die Glugg, which represents 7 winemakers in the Rheingau region in Germany, decided to meet to discover each other’s techniques, challenges and strategies. The two groups formed a collective to communicate their shared philosophy and approach to winemaking. They are mainly focused on organic viticulture and oenology using agroecological practices. Vignerons de Lantignié are mainly focused on viticultural techniques and communication about their local terroir. Winemakers share the same commercial strategy and also face the same dilemmas and challenges to defend their agroecology viticulture. 

The key idea is to show “that something different is possible” in their local area, putting a stronger focus on natural winemaking.

 The Heritage Vines of Turkey initiative

Turkey is in the top five countries worldwide in terms of vineyard area, ahead of the USA and Argentina, and behind only Spain, France, China and Italy. Yet Turkey produces a relatively small amount of wine, less than 100,000 liters a year, as most of the grapes are not used for winemaking. Nonetheless, the country is home to an enormous diversity of grape varieties: hundreds, in fact; though only around 60 are used commercially, meaning an enormous heritage of biodiversity lies in the hands of the country’s small-scale grape growers. The Heritage Vines of Turkey project, aims to catalog and safeguard this diversity. 

“We aim to ensure the survival of our country’s deeply rooted vineyard areas. We do this by drawing attention to their existence and restoring economic value to their grapes” - Sabiha Apaydın, project leader.  

 Indigenous grapes from Argentina - We then meet Gaston Cruz of Bodega Don Milagro in Argentina's northernmost region, Jujuy. While the popular image of Argentine viticulture is dominated by production in the Mendoza region, which tends to be large-scale, in other parts of the country we find virtuous producers who guard ancient vineyards. Such is the case of Gaston Cruz, an indigenous winemaker working with native grape varieties in the Quebrada de Humahuaca.

 Japan at the Fair for the first time - For the first time there will be two producers from Japan: Grape Republic, from Yamagata prefecture, and Coco Wine, from Tochigi prefecture. Grape Republic, founded in 2017, does not use pesticides, fertilizers, antioxidants and works exclusively with natural yeasts to produce a wine that reflects the local terroir as much as possible. Similarly, Coco Wine has been following this production philosophy since 1984.

 Spanish presence is increasing

Exhibitors from Spain are increasing, with the presence of seven Galician winemakers, including Bodega Pentecostés, which guards the only vineyard included in the Rias Baixas AOC, located in the Miñor Valley region, and Adega do Ricón, a winery that enhances the territory's native varieties by making as few interventions as possible in the vineyard and cellar. 

 International winemakers and representatives of the Slow Wine Coalition will be the protagonists of the Demeter Arena program, which offers conferences and debates to discuss the most actual topics related to wine. 

 Participants will learn more about winemaking in the Beaujolais region of France, the Azeri vineyards where the madrasa grape is cultivated (a Slow Food Presidium), viticultural initiatives among communities in Italy, biodynamics, agroecology and sustainable production practices. Among the speakers, we mention Lydia and Claude Bourguignon, who have inspired generations of winegrowers worldwide by discussing soil fertility and its regenerative capacity.

 Book presentations and lectures will also animate the Casa Slow Food and Reale Mutua Space, which offer a rich and varied program.