The 18th edition of Bio Millésime global, professional Hall of organic wines in Montpellier, from 24 to 26 January 2011

Located in the French Mediterranean coast, Languedoc-Roussillon region will host the 18th edition of Bio Millésime. Dedicated exclusively to wines made with organic grapes, this trade show has become the essential meeting point of the sector.

The 2011 edition will take place from 24 to 26 January 2011 at the Park of Expositions in Montpellier, 500 French and international exhibitors will attend and mora than 3,000 visitors.

Created in 1993 by a small number of winemakers of the Languedoc-Roussillon region, the Bio Millesime is unique in the world, as its organizers pursue the singular goal of promoting the discovery, trade and professional collaboration on a single product: organic wine.

Naturally, organic wine production is one which prohibits the use of sulfur dioxide and antioxidants, and green grapes come from vineyards, increasing value for consumers.

For three days, participants will meet with officials from the stands, will go to the Challenge Awards Bio Millesime, or try and discover the award-winning wines, or those that the winemakers present, etc. They may also attend the conference of market for organic wine, and/or organic lunch organized for the press and trade visitors. Finally, the evening of “Vitivinicultores”, event games, the wine sector will gather around a dinner with entertainment eco musically, and with a tasting of award-winning wines and exposed during the show, selected by the exhibitors.

Bio Millesime 2010 drew to:

• 491 growers and winemakers exhibitors (up 38% more than the previous edition), from Germany, Argentina, Egypt, Spain, United States, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Romania, South Africa and Switzerland.
• 2,700 visitors from 25 countries (excluding France), mainly from Europe, North America and Japan. Representing 700 companies related to the wine sector (58% more than in last year).

About the French market for organic wine:

In 2009, the French winemakers devoted 39,000 hectares to organic production, which represented an increase of 39% compared to 28,000 hectares in 2008.

The number of vineyards increased by 31% between 2008 and 2009 (2,301 and 3,024 respectively). 3 French regions occupy 2 / 3 of the production area of certified vineyards, the Languedoc-Roussillon region (12,661 hectares or 52% more in one year), followed by the Provence-Côte d'Azur (8981 hectares with an increase of 35% in one year), and the region of Aquitaine (5463 hectares, an increase of 45% in one year).

Globally, France ranks second behind Italy in the production of organic wines.

In terms of consumption, between 2008 and 2009, sales of organic products grew 30% in hypermarkets and supermarkets, while the "quiet organic wines" made by 65%. In 2009, 46% of the French said they had consumed at least some organic products a month.