By
Eric Gaudet Paris Bureau Chief
At
a time where the spirits business is becoming tougher and
more
complicated, some of the best independent producers in
France
have united to show that the best spirits
are
still an eminent part of the French gastronomy.
Last
November, the 3rd edition of the spirits trade show, Spirit
2003, was held in Paris. This show is dedicated to spirits
trade professionals: barmen, sommeliers, liquor stores, restaurant
owners, chefs, traders, wholesalers, importers, and agents who
can attend by invitation only. In 3 years, it has become the true
rendezvous of the spirits profession.
Aside
from industrial producers, there are still true artists, driven
by their passion for utmost quality, whose will is to elaborate
the best possible spirits. That is how this Spirit’ movement
started 2 years ago. The first initiative was to launch a trade
show for professionals. It was in November 2001, in the Prince
of Wales Hotel. Since then, the success has kept growing and some
450 visitors attended this one day 2003 edition, held in another
luxury environment, a splendid 700 square meters ballroom from
1924, in the heart of Paris.
The
best distilleries in France gathered to offer their exquisite
spirits to the most distinguished and demanding palates. Indeed,
among the visiting professionals you could meet top barmen, sommeliers
and chefs from many starred restaurants, most of the best tables
in Paris, including Lasserre, Baltimore, Pierre Gagnaire,
Plaza Athénée, Meridien, Concorde, Jules Verne,
Meurice, Ritz, Carré des Feuillants, l’Aiguière,
59 Poincaré, Scribe, Crillon, Bastide Odéon, Bistrot
Papillon, Meridien 25, Park Hyatt, Bistrot du Sommelier, Relais
d’Auteuil, Petrossian, Stor, Le Dôme, St-James, Copenhague,
Maison de la Truffe or Warwick together with buyers from
such famous companies as Hediard, Fauchon, Auchan, Bon
Marché, Lavinia, Nicolas, Servair, Concorde Hotels, Verger
de la Madeleine, Augé, France Boissons or Au
Bon Plaisir and many journalists from the gastronomy
press.
All
the families of French spirits were present in 2003, from the
famous Cognac to the lesser known white fruit spirits, and including
Armagnac, Calvados or Rhum: Armagnac Castarède,
Bas Armagnac Francis Darroze, Domaine de Boingnères, Château
de Briat, Château de Laubade, Château de Neguebouc,
Château de Lacquy, Calvados Christian Drouin, Château
du Breuil, Domaine Dupont, Calvados Roger Groult, Calvados Morin,
Cognac Godet, Cognac Maxime Trijol, Cognac Louis Bouron, Cognac
Estève, Distillerie Artisanale Bertrand, Distillerie Peureux
Griottines, Chantal Comte Diffusion, Distillerie Neisson, Rhum
La Mauny, Trois Rivières, Rhum Clément.
The vast majority of them are family companies, some going back
as far as the beginning of the 18th century, and all of them perpetuate
this inherited tradition of excellence.
The
Spirit's Website
For those not lucky enough to attend
the show in Paris, you can still share a virtual experience (but
of course you will lack the tasting!) by going to the www.spirit2003.org
website
to visit the show and know more about the exhibitors, their products,
their agents and importers.
The
next edition of this show will be in November 2004 in Paris. For
these interested in coming, do not hesitate to contact your favourite
magazine, Food&Beverage International or email Mike at HYPERLINK
mailto:mwalsh@fbworld.com
to receive all the necessary information.
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