Forging Links in Bordeaux
The historic wine capital of Bordeaux will play host to the largest ever symposium staged by the Institute of Masters of Wine from 24 to 27 June.
Forging Links, the Institute’ seventh symposium, will see 300 of the wine world’s most influential figures gather in the city for a series of panel discussions, tastings, keynote speeches as well as prestigious lunches and dinners.
Delegates and speakers from more than 20 countries are participating in the independent forum for debate which takes as its theme the connections past, present and future which will contribute to the successful development of the art, science and business of wine.
Open to all those with an interest in wine, Forging Links is taking place with the generous support of its principal sponsor, the Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB), and has been organised by event co-chairmen Fiona Morrison MW and Jacques Lurton.
High-profile speakers, representing all aspects of the international wine industry, will share their thoughts and experiences with delegates during the symposium on topics ranging from wine on the web and the role of family dynasties in winemaking to emerging wine countries and the lessons to be learned from the industry’s modern legends.
Keynote speeches will be delivered by Alain Juppé, Mayor of Bordeaux and former Prime Minister of France, international advertising guru Sir John Hegarty and Georges Haushalter, CIVB Vice President.
Symposium speakers include Alessia Antinori, Tim Atkin MW, Jean-Claude and Olivier Berrouet, Eduardo Chadwick, Poh Tiong Ch’ng, Jean-Bernard and Jean-Philippe Delmas, Paul Draper, Peter Gago, Olivier Humbrecht MW, Jeannie Cho Lee MW, Zelma Long, Egon Müller, Alvaro Palacios, Paul Pontallier, Jancis Robinson MW, Michel Rolland, Christian Seely, Miguel and Mireia Torres, and Moses Tsang.
Fiona Morrison MW said: “Our chief goal was to create an event that would link the best people we could find in and outside the wine business to build connections between their knowledge and their circles of influence.
“We have created a programme which is designed to question the way we think and communicate about wine. We have created as many opportunities as possible for delegates and speakers to network and share ideas through enjoyable and interactive sessions. If we succeed, everyone will leave Bordeaux refreshed, inspired and enthusiastic about the future of wine.”
CIVB President Alain Vironneau believes that Bordeaux’s long-established role as an international wine trading city makes it the ideal venue for Forging Links.
“Bordeaux is the capital of a great patchwork of terroirs, in which the wines express their common origin as well as their individual diversity. Bordeaux is also a city that is welcoming to visitors, wide open to the world and keen to enrich itself through these foreign influences. Before it was a European city Bordeaux was already a city of the world – therein lies all its charm,” he said.
Forging Links is taking place with the generous support of the following sponsors: Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (principal sponsor); Office de Tourisme de Bordeaux; Conseil des Crus Classés de Sauternes et Barsac; Conseil des Grands Crus Classés en 1855; the Madame Bollinger Foundation; Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux; Union des Maisons de Bordeaux; Riedel; San Pellegrino; Vins et Vignobles Dourthe and the Greek Wine Federation.