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New, compact format for LWF

Last month, organisers announced that the specialist importer Esoterica section will be moving from its usual spot on the first to the ground floor, along with the producer-focused Wines Unearthed.

A ‘first look at the fair’ via the LWF’s 2023 exhibitor list is also now available. A total of 157 exhibitors have currently signed up. So far, this is considerably behind 2019 when final numbers reached 516 (+11% on 2018). However, organisers said they still expect to sell out exhibitor spots for 2023 and are 'on course to have a bigger event than 2022' when final exhibitor numbers reached 330.

It remains to be seen what the Fair, and the final floor plan, will look like, with the event's myriad sections now set to take place across a single floor. Organisers said they felt 'confident' about this year's Fair and booking timeline for visitors, though adding 'it may take a further year' to revert to its pre-pandemic form. Traditionally one of the event’s most visited areas, Esoterica currently has 18 exhibitors.

• Read more: New LWF layout hints at UK trade refocus

The event is due to take place at Olympia from 15 to 17 May. This marks a return to its usual May date following a last-minute change and kerfuffle with Prowein in 2022.

This year, organisers are promising a ‘packed’ fair with new and returning exhibitors from across the world. These include Italy, with six large pavilions, Greece and also Georgia.

In recent years, the Fair has put increasing focus on UK importers such as Enotria & Coe and Hatch Mansfield in order to differentiate it from strong European competitors Prowein and Wine Paris.

Organisers are focused on British wines now, too. According to organisers, British wines are now the number one product that buyers are looking to source at LWF.

“We continue our partnership with WineGB for Drinks Britannia and are curating a UK producers pavilion to showcase the Newest of the New World Wine Regions,” they said.

• LWF
• London Wine Fair