BCB 2024 enables Bar Industry to explore the World of Wines
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Every year BCB maps the key trends and products for the bar sector. One major theme, however, has not received a great deal of attention so far: the versatile world of wines – although there are so many great wine bars and so many ways for bartenders to create special drinks with wine.
This is an all-time debut at BCB: the bar show will focus on the wine theme for the first time with a dedicated special area. “We would like to introduce our visitors to the world of wine and its diversity since a high-quality selection of wines offers plenty of added value for just about every bar. At times, guests probably want to enjoy a good wine rather than a cocktail. All the better if the bars staff is then also knowledgeable in this area,” explains BCB Director Petra Lassahn.
Looking “beyond one’s own glass rim”
Every year BCB and its education programme give its visitors the possibility to undergo a wide variety of continuous education and to look beyond their own backyard – or in this case their own glass rim. This, of course, only works with a strong partner by BCB’s side: Jointly with the “KALK&KEGEL” magazine the wine hotspot and the associated programme will be curated. Special workshops and tastings held with wine experts and sommeliers for the whole duration of the trade show are designed to familiarise BCB visitors with the diversity and special characteristics of a wide variety of wines. Joining the fray amongst others will be Johannes Schellhorn of “Bar Freundschaft” from Berlin.
Strong partnership ensures wine expertise
“Wine will become an indispensable asset to the bar segment in the future. The point is not to offer an extensive wine list to customers. It is more about offering the right wines and exciting storytelling to go with them. Guests want to be enthused even more in the bar,” explains Michael Pöcheim-Pech, publisher of KALK&KEGEL.
With their workshops he and his team want to kick in right there and flag up what is trending in the wine scene at BCB. They plan to present wines from German but also international vintners, who are committed to healthy soils, want to fascinate with their products and set themselves apart with excellent craftsmanship.
“We are delighted to have found a strong partner for the wine segment in the KALK&KEGEL experts. We are convinced that this topic will prove an enrichment for BCB’s education programme and its visitors,” adds Petra Lassahn.
“Palais” is where it all happens
A special topic, of course, also calls for a special venue. This is why this year the area and bar on the upper floor of the “Palais” will become the first port of call for wine enthusiasts and those aspiring to be. The area, which used to be operated by Remy Savage and his team, among others, is very popular with BCB visitors and exhibitors alike. And for a reason: the imposing Palais impresses its visitors not only with its 50s charms but also with light-flooded rooms and direct access to the “Sommergarten” garden with Food Court.
Other hot spots and new features planned
In addition to the wine hot spot, BCB 2024 will also feature other focal themes, to be highlighted by dedicated special areas and international bar teams. The “Spirit of Honor” will also return after its successful debut last year. While 2023 focused on products related to agave, this year will place another spirit centre stage with its own bar and education area. And what’s more: continuous education will, as before, also play a pivotal role at BCB. Here, too, visitors can look forward to a number of innovations in the stage concepts on top of the versatile programme. The Main Stage, for example, will be relocated.
More information on the hot spots and education programme to follow. Some clues we can reveal: when glasses are again cheerfully clinked at the Berlin exhibition halls from 14 to 16 October, they will definitely include one wine glass or the other.
About BCB
BCB is one of the leading international trade shows for the bar and beverage industry. Every year, this is where a veritable who’s who of the German and European bar and beverage industry gets together to make new contacts, find out about the latest product innovations and attend educational seminars.
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