Covid-19 has been responsible for the cancellation of events all around the globe and one of the most recent events to be postponed till early 2021 is the Best of Wine Tourism Awards 2021.  The Great Wine Capitals Global Network (GWC) announced the decision after their international assembly in Mainz (Germany) in October was called off due to travel restrictions caused by the ongoing health crisis.  The international meeting has been rescheduled for October 2021 at the same location.

As a consequence of these cancellations, a series of virtual Meet and Share sessions were organised and attended by 77 experts from around the world that included 10 speakers such as representatives from Bodegas Bohedal, Bodegas Valdemar and Estancia el Cuadro.  The GWC has been active in promoting new areas of wine tourism in virtual environments, on the internet and via social networks.  And recent months have seen an upsurge of virtual events which have been organised by an ever-growing number of companies that have been affected by the crisis.

International Meet & Share meetings

One of the main themes of the virtual meetings shared by the international wine experts was the online adaptation of the wine industry.  First impressions were shared of the changes within the wine tourism sector over the last few months.  Such changes discussed were virtual wine tasting, live cooking and wine pairing, hygiene protocols, direct selling, outdoor wine bars such as Bodegas Corral in Navarrete, La Rioja and new events such as the Sunset Wine Route in the Toro Wine Region of Spain.

The most outstanding trend,  identified in this period by the members of the Best of Wine Awards, has been the importance of virtual wine tastings that have been broadcast on varying platforms and social media.

You find an overview of the Meet and Share events here