IES FELANITX STUDENTS LOVE BARCELONA WINE WEEK
Students from IES Felanitx amazed by their visit to Barcelona wine week trade show to learn about wine and entrepreneurship
Recently, a group of students from IES Felanitx had the exciting opportunity to visit the Barcelona Wine Week (BWW) thanks to the organization and financing by the Entrepreneurial Space of the IES Felanitx. The event, which is one of the most important wine fairs in Europe, is a hub for winemakers and wine lovers alike.
For the students, the trip was a chance to gain first-hand experience and knowledge about the wine industry. They were able to attend several wine tastings and to interact with wine professionals and experts who shared insights into the industry and the latest trends.
Visiting BWW has allowed them to connect what they have been learning this term in Marketing and logistics and Tasting lessons with the diversity and richness of wine culture outside the classroom.
Below you can read the report that they have written as a team:
THE PREPARATION
As students, we were informed about the annual wine fair that takes place in Barcelona and, from the "Entrepreneurial Classroom" of the IES Felanitx, we were offered the opportunity to attend. For us, it was fascinating, since we had the opportunity to learn how an event of this magnitude works and, in addition, to taste a wide variety of wines.
As for the companies we have worked with, participating in the fair is a somewhat complex process: the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) Vi de la Terra de Mallorca promotes participation in the fair and those who are interested in forming contribute the financial amount required. The IGP is responsible for managing all the logistics, including the transfer of the pre-agreed bottles. They try to adjust the transported quantity to avoid necessary transport costs such as those corresponding to the return of leftover bottles. The Conselleria d'Agricultura, Pesca i Alimentació and the IGP managed the location of the stands at the show, which this year allows for an excellent location to facilitate potential trade deals and improve sales. In addition, the IGP is responsible for processing the accreditations and tickets for the winemakers.
THE PEOPLE
More than 20,000 industry professionals from 79 different countries attended the fair. Among the visitors, there were wineries entrepreneurs, sommeliers, specialized press, representatives of the regulatory councils of each region and even some students.
During the event, around 40 scheduled activities were carried out, and around 6,000 business meetings were held. In total, attendance at the fair exceeded 18,000 visitors.
THE PLACE
The Fira Internacional de Barcelona, which is a major trade show organization, hosts a large exhibition where more than 800 wineries are distributed in two main areas: BWW Lands and BWW Brands. The Lands area focuses on the territory, where the wineries are grouped according to the denominations of origin, while the Brands area hosts wineries with differentiated and special products outside the norm.
In addition, the BWW Impulse and BWW Collectibles zones also feature wineries and companies that are showing technological innovations or are present at the fair for the first time. In the space there is also an area called BWW Hub with space for business meetings, conference rooms, room for guided tastings and a restaurant.
Each winery was assigned a code on the map, making it easy to locate. In addition to being able to see the products displayed in the showcases or on the counters, there was a space with tables and chairs for gathering or for tastings of a more private nature.
THE PRODUCTS
At the fair, you can find a wide variety of wine-related products. It is a widely diverse sample both in terms of categories and quality.
Most product portfolios explained their organoleptic characteristics very well. In some, the varieties contained were specified, but in many others they were not. None of the ones I saw reported the price. It is true that both the stalls and the bottles presented a good visual appeal with which you could clearly identify the brand. But we believe that the information was partial, as it was not directly informed about the method of making the wine or its price. Many wineries did not have wallets on hand and only offered the contact card.
THE PROMOTION ACTIVITIES
This international event, held at the "Barcelona International Fair", attracted the attention of hundreds of Spanish wineries and more than 20,000 visitors, including international buyers and a wide variety of wine professionals.
At each booth, one or two representatives attended to interested visitors and potential buyers; depending on each case the staff customise the speech according to the expectations they perceive. In many booths, in the back, sat the rest of the company's employees, managers and salespeople.
The promotion made by the event itself could be differentiated from the promotion made by each company. The mere fact of participating in the event already made a company better known to a large audience.
LET'S TALSK ABOUT THE PRICE OF WINE
At the fair, the attendees visited the different stands and the winemakers offered some information about their wines based on the visitor's interest. Generally, the price of the wines was not mentioned immediately, but only when requested. Starting from a base price, the profit margin was expanded or reduced depending on the type of company and the real possibility of agreeing a commercial deal.
Mention should be made of the launch of a specific mobile application (BWW Matching system) for the occasion so that distribution or catering companies can arrange appointments with the sales managers of the wineries. Then, in these private meetings, prices and quantities of wine were negotiated.
We, as we are not entrepreneurs in the sector, had to ask the wineries directly. But if the visitors came without an appointment, like us, the managers of the winery could guide them about the sale prices to the public without any problem in most cases (except where we would find suspicion due to the confidentiality of the negotiations that were taking place at that time).
PERSONAL OPINIONS
I would recommend this fair to both professionals and consumers and wine lovers because you can find a wide variety of wine and cava (Catalan sparkling wine) from different regions. Some stands are also complemented with some food pairings such as the Freixenet house. In addition, you can attend events and talks and related to the wine industry but, above all, you can join talks with the wine producers.
The BWW is a fair that I recommend to any wine enthusiast and professional. I must say that it is better to attend more than one day because there are many interesting wineries present, but one day is not enough to be able to discover them all. On the downside, I think the Brands area wasn't well laid out, as unlike the other areas, it wasn't organized by region, and it was more complicated to locate. In addition, the space between cellars was very small and the signs with the name of the cellar were hardly legible.
The fair is highly recommended for all professionals in the distribution and catering sectors; it offers the opportunity to meet many wineries in a few days and be able to reach commercial agreements.
As a student of viticulture, it is very interesting to see how the commercial world of wine is organized and moves, and you have the opportunity to taste different wines.
The BWW is a highly recommended fair for people working in the wine sector, whether as a professional, distributor or winery, but it is also very interesting for the restaurant sector, as you can get to know many interesting wines to prepare the menu of the restaurant As this fair is exclusive to professionals, I cannot recommend it to the general audience.
Personally, I think that the international character of the fair, together with the fineness of the facilities, the people's desire and the diversity of products have led me to have a pleasant experience that at the same time has opened my vision to the wide possibilities offered by the world of wine.
We hope to have a similar opportunity in the next school years to collaborate with the Entrepreneurial Space of IES Felanitx so that the students continue to expand their horizons and explore even more their passion for Winemaking.
