South Florida saw lots of excitement with the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, Boat Show and the Wine and Food Festival. With all that momentum, event-goers prepared to please their palates and experience the “expo†that took place February 25-27. Known as the Miami Wine & Spirits Expo, this event, presented by Aeromexico, Corona Extra and Republic National Distributing Company was one of the places on the “can’t be missed†list. With many tequila, wine and other spirits it was no wonder that The Miami Food and Wine Expo complimented to the current festivities to foodies around the world.
The show is the brainchild of a dynamic team comprised by spirits professional Juan Dagond, retailer Jaime Aparicio and a local businessman. These gentlemen have a combined experience in the industry and having been to expos all over the world; saw a void in the marketplace. Thus, they sought to create synergy for all brands to be able to convene under one roof in true “exhibit†style. This platform would provide the infrastructure to promote new and existing products, engage the consumer and the opportunity for networking with other members of the beverage trade.
The event was conceptualized and created as an annual trade and consumer event to be held on Miami Beach as a culmination to delight the taste buds of consumers and educate the trade on “what is out there.†With the show held at the height of the season, the organizers have aimed to bring the world’s best producers of Beer, Wine and Spirits. This task, to be completed via the involvement by the three important tiers in the beverage industry: importers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers. At this year’s event, attendees saw an array of new and exciting products, interesting exhibits, contests, great prizes, delicious bites and more.
Other sponsors for this year’s Miami Wine & Spirits Expo included: SobeWines.com Store, Universal Liquors, Solaria Wines and Spirits, Scottish Harbor, Old Castle Scotch Whiskey, Mercury Comercializadora, and Aguita de Dios. As this is the first annual event, expect to be event more amazed in the years to come.
Photographs by Betty Alvarez copyright 2011
