by Charles Metcalfe
The second edition of The Wine Show in London took place this past weekend from the 26th to 29th of October. Last year was the first vintage of this
consumer wine event, which was attended by 11,831 visitors. In 2006, numbers were up 18% to 13,989. Consumers found some 1,500 wines to sample at 136 stands. Although final numbers on the profiles of the visitors have yet to be released, it seems as if The Wine Show may have attracted a young, affluent audience of wine drinkers that has eluded the specialist wine magazines in Britain. The average visitor age last year was 33 years old - and that looked similar in 2006. Women made up a large part of the audience, too, sometimes with a male partner, but often only with female friends. Sainsbury's, one of the country's largest supermarkets, had a wine and food matching room crammed with visitors throughout the show. Kimberley Davenport, Sainsbury's Marketing & Public Relations Manager for Beers, Wines & Spirits, said; "We have been absolutely delighted with the excellent feedback we have had from visitors". There were several well-attended tutored tastings and 'wine walks' given and led by prominent wine personalities. Tim Etchells, managing director of show organisers Consumer Exhibitions Ltd, confirmed that many of this year's exhibitors have already booked for the 2007 event.
