Barcelona Wine Week (BWW), organized by Alimentaria Exhibitions, is studying how to resolve the pressing lack of space at the most prominent Spanish wine fair in 2025 after the great success of its fourth edition, which will be held from February 5 to 7 at the Fira de Barcelona Montjuïc venue. This year it grows 15% more than in 2023, both in number of exhibitors and space. The exhibition could leave the current pavilion 8 next year to move to 1 and 2 of Montjuïc, while a new gastronomic area will be created (currently very limited) that is being considered for placement in the Plaza de l’Univers. The works on the Montjuïc fairgrounds, which are scheduled to begin in phases in 2026, determine the final solution.
On the second day of last year’s edition they were already forced to temporarily close access due to excess capacity. Céline Pérez, the director of BWW, states that “the very high demand to exhibit at the show and the success of the program in attracting key buyers confirm BWW as a unique event in Spain for the revitalization and internationalization of Spanish wine. This success forces us to grow, but always maintaining our commitment to a premium event focused on generating business effectively.” She adds that the BWW was a risky bet that has sparked passion. The general director of Alimentaria Exhibitions, Toni Valls, told La Vanguardia that “the great objective is to grow without losing the essence of an already fully consolidated project.” The organization reminds us that in Spain there are some 4,300 wineries and that there is still a long way to go. But you don’t want to die of success.
A long time ago, in July of last year, the full lineup for the edition that opened next Monday was announced. It will bring together 952 wineries from 73 designations of origin and Spanish quality seals. More than 20,000 professional visitors are expected, among whom there will be some 650 key buyers and importers from strategic export countries invited by BWW in collaboration with ICEX Spain Export and Investment. The presence of professionals from the United States, Germany, Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and China stands out, returning strongly to the show. These are purchasing decision makers from large supermarket chains, such as Tesco (UK) or City Super (China), and key distributors such as American Northwest Distributors or Handcraftedwines (USA). They will be joined by nearly 1,000 national buyers invited by BWW through its VIP Buyers program. In total, it is estimated that more than 11,400 business meetings will be held during the event.
70 presentations and tastings have been scheduled featuring more than 160 experts. In this edition, the central theme will delve into the tendency to use unique containers to make wine, from jars to ancient stone winepresses. Innovation and the challenges that arise with climate change, sustainability, wine tourism, digitalization or artificial intelligence will also be addressed; and what the wine labels of the future will look like will be addressed. Speakers include Masters of Wine Fernando Mora, Sarah Jane Evans, David Forer, Peter Richards, Álvaro Ribalta, Almudena Alberca and Tim Atkin. This last prescriber will present his first report on the best wines made in Catalonia. Prominent sommeliers such as Ferran Centelles, Jordi Paronella, Sílvia Culell, David Molina, Toni Albiol, Diego González, Gabi Lucas, François Chartier, David Seijas and Pilar Cavero will also participate; or the producers Dominik A. Huber, Pedro Ruiz Aragoneses, Miguel A. Torres, Rafael Palacios, Núria Altés, María Urrutia, Javier Revert, Eulogio Pomares, Alfredo Maestro, Raül Bobet, Roc Gramona, Martí Torrallardona, Ricard Sebastià, Carlota Pena or Sara Perez. And there will be an unprecedented tasting with the last three winners of the Best Sommelier in Spain contest (Diego González, Gabriel Lucas and Álex Pardo).
A tasting with ten iconic wines from the DO Ribera del Duero has generated much expectation (tickets have been sold for 195 euros) while the DO Navarra, Penedès, Costers del Segre and Arlanza will also present their wines in special tastings. At the same time, tribute will be paid to three very prominent figures in Penedès wine who died last year (Carlos Esteva from Can Ràfols dels Caus, Xavier Gramona from Gramona and Antoni Mata from Recaredo). Marc Picanyol will present his book ‘Arraigados’ at the fair, a vital portrait of twelve prominent foreign winegrowers and businessmen based (to a greater or lesser extent) in Spain. Each chapter consists of an extensive photographic report by Estanis Núñez. The book is published by Silex Ediciones and is presented with a tasting of seven wines by its protagonists.
For its part, Freixenet will take advantage of the occasion to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its Cordón Negro cava; Juve
On the occasion of the fair, Barcelona will host various initiatives around the world of wine. From February 2 to 7, the BWW Likes The City! project will turn Barcelona into the wine capital by associating with restaurant establishments, hotels and other venues. More than 20 restaurants, bars and wine bars will offer special menus and paired tapas. Experiences around wine will also invade a dozen cultural spaces. In addition, this year BWW Likes The City premieres Hotel Wine Fest, organized by Gourmeet together with BWW. These are three routes through emblematic Barcelona hotels where you can enjoy special tastings and pairings. They will feature wines from the Penedès, Cava, Bullas, Jumilla and Yecla appellations of origin. Those attending the lounge will also be able to enjoy the best paired dishes in the area.
As already happened with the defunct Intervin de Alimentaria show, various initiatives have grown in Barcelona outside the BWW but coinciding with this fair. The twelve Corpinnat wineries are organizing their second base wine tasting on February 4 at the El Avenida Palace Hotel in Barcelona. On February 6, the Liquid Vins samples will be held (with 35 producers in the Valid World Hall space on Buenaventura Muñoz Street) and Off the record (in the Casa Rius with fifty wineries), and on the 7th a new edition of the Women of Wine show (in the Palau de Pedralbes with more than 40 wineries). But there is also an outstanding initiative that brought together wineries producing Grenache wines, the G’Night organized since 2013 by Joan Ignasi Domènech of Vinyes Domènech de Capçanes through the Associació Terra de Garnatxes, which will not be held this year.
