The BFT 2024 – The Show Keeps on Growing
With more exhibitors than 2023, the 2024 Big Fortified Tasting demonstrated again how the popularity of this category of wines continues to grow.
The show in numbers:
- 63 different exhibitors showing 71 brands;
- 403 different wines to taste, from 5 countries and 11 geographical regions
- Almost 300 people attended the show, of which 60% work in the on-trade (buyers, sommeliers, restaurateurs, mixologists, bar-staff etc), 35% work in the off-trade (including supermarket buyers, national and independent wine merchants) with the remaining 5% being media visitors.
Our attendees showed just how broad the interest in fortified wines is, with the traditional buyers from independent wine merchants, retailers and restaurants now joined by buyers who represent the wider hospitality and leisure sector from businesses such as cruise operators and airlines. Fortified wines really are becoming more mainstream again.
That shift to mainstream was perhaps best represented by two elements of our show this year – the feature table of English Vermouth producers responding to the resurgence of this wine as a trend with younger drinkers, alongside a change in direction from our first masterclass this year, delivered by educational not-for-profit organisation, The School of Port who looked at ‘The Relevance of Port in the 21st Century’, supported by Symington Family Estates and Vinhos Quevedo who spoke about techniques to improve port sales in an on-trade environment.
Our second masterclass came from Setúbal Peninsula Wines, presented by Portuguese wine expert Sarah Ahmed, which explored the influence of terroir, time and innovation on this vinous nectar. The final masterclass of the day was from Penfolds, who marked their return to the b.f.t. with a tutored tasting showcasing their selection of revered Tawnies side by side for the first time in the UK, including the 50 Year Old Rare Tawny, produced in extremely limited quantities and regarded as a true collectors’ item.
Another new feature was the Decanter World Wine Awards table, featuring award-winning fortified wines from across the range of styles and regions, an approach that really highlighted the quality of wines available in this category. But our partnership with Decanter went beyond their presence at the show, with a simplified and reduced-cost process for producers to enter their wines into the 2024 competition. We were delighted to see a number of exhibitors take advantage of this opportunity and congratulate the medal and best in show winners on the recognition their wines received.
Our thanks go to all of our producers and importers for helping make the show the great success it has proved to be.
Our attentions are already turning to 2025, with the date confirmed – 3rd April 2025, back at The Church House conference centre again. We are already getting requests to host masterclasses and with only 3 spots available, if you are considering that option, please do speak with us soon to secure a slot.
Thank you again to everyone who helped us deliver the Big Fortified Tasting 2024.