Two natural wine fairs in London not 'ideal'

Published: 24 February, 2012

London would have one natural wine show "in an ideal world", according to the organiser of one of two events scheduled for the same dates in May.

The Real Wine Fair takes place in Victoria House, Holborn, on May 20-22. RAW is being held at the Old Truman Brewery in Brick Lane on May 20-21.

The Real Wine Fair has emerged from last year's Natural Wine Fair in Borough Market. One of the instigators of that event, Isabelle Legeron MW, is now the organiser of RAW.

Doug Wregg of Les Caves de Pyrene insisted there was room for two shows but said he was open to the idea of a single event in the future. "There are definitely enough growers to fill the two fairs," he added.

"There will be some crossover between the two and there is some co-operation.

"We want to be helpful and co-operative but there has been some nasty blogging going on, trying to drive a wedge into something that should be really positive. I think growers are confused by who is issuing the propaganda.

"I'm desperate that both events are successful because it will show there's great traction with natural wines - and I'm sure they will be."

Wregg said he expected both events to represent around 150 growers. Each will devote
one day to consumer visitors.

Classic regions such as Burgundy, Bordeaux and Piedmont will be represented at RAW alongside newcomers like Georgia and Serbia.

Legeron said: "My aim is to promote transparency in the wine world in order to support the art of authentic wine production. I want to help people think about what they drink."

RAW has created a charter of quality that all exhibitors must adhere to. It includes requests that all grapes must be farmed organically or biodynamically, and clearly labelled with sulphur levels.

Both events coincide with London Interntional Wine Fair week which takes place 22-24 May.

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