London Wine Fair June 3: What is happening

By Helen Arnold

Published: 03 June, 2014

Here we pick out some of the key goings on at today's London Wine Fair at Olympia including a run down of key debates, seminars and masterclases.

10am-5.30pm Put your fault-detecting skills to the test

Stephen Walder, PLB, and Geoff Taylor, Campden BRI ? Gallery Theatre

Walder and Taylor will be on hand to answer questions and guide participants through an array of wine faults which you can blind taste, including common taints. There will also be competitions and prizes throughout the day.

10.30am-11.30am Carpe Vinum: Uncovering the truth about Generation Y wine drinkers in the UK

Richard Halstead, Wine Intelligence ? Industry Briefings

The results of the Carpe Vinum research into Generation Y; the future of young British wine drinkers, in association with Cobevco.

10.30am-5.30pm Austria's most food-friendly wines

Austrian Wineries ? Austrian Wine stand H50

Various producers from Austrian wineries. These tastings aim to reflect the diversity of Austria's regional wine styles and their ability to match a variety of cuisines from around the world.

11am-11.45am Rías Baixas: All about Albariño

Peter McCombie Peter McCombie

Peter McCombie MW ? Masterclass Theatre

Exploring the region of Rias Baixas and getting under the skin of this increasingly popular Spanish white wine region.

12.30pm-1pm Everything starts with one good idea - an exploration of innovation marketing on low budgets

Abigail Barlow ? Speakers' Corner

With wine marketing budgets at an all time low, Abigail Barlow will discuss great marketing innovation that didn't break the bank and still managed to cause a stir.

1pm-1.30pm Are you ready for sake?

Antony Moss MW ? WSET stand P82

Japanese food is well established in the UK, and now Moss turns his attention to sake - on it's own, with food and in cocktails. Come and find out more about it, learn the sake basics, taste different sakes and find out why the WSET is developing a sake-specific qualification.

1.30pm-2pm Challenge Joe's nose

Joe Wadsack Joe Wadsack

Joe Wadsack ? Speakers' Corner

With one of the best palates in the business, Wadsack will host this session in which exhibitors are invited to bring along a bottle - the more obscure the better - to put him to the test.

3.30pm-4pm Building an online wine business

Tom Head ? Speakers' Corner

Head discusses what you need to know about moving online. How to design a website, and why choosing a good agency is important.

4pm-4.30pm International gins

Michael Buriak AIWS ? WSET stand P82

There has been a revolution in the gin category in recent years with a plethora of new brands. And it's no longer the preserve of the British. Buriak takes stock of the international styles that are emerging.

4.15pm-5.15pm State of the nation

Natasha Kendall, Nielsen ? Industry Briefings

This annual report from Nielsen provides a comprehensive review of the grocery trade for the year to December 2013.

4.30pm-5pm Independent merchants: influencing the influencers

Miles Beale Miles Beale

Miles Beale, WSTA ? Speakers' Corner

Beale will be discussing how you can play a part in influencing government on issues that directly affect your business. This debate will focus on issues such as wine duty and licensing, and will explore how we can, together, prevent further unnecessary and burdensome regulation.