By Eric Gaudet Paris Bureau Chief

At a time where the spirits business is becoming tougher and

more complicated, some of the best independent producers in

France have united to show that the best spirits

are still an eminent part of the French gastronomy.

Last November, the 3rd edition of the spirits trade show, Spirit 2003, was held in Paris. This show is dedicated to spirits trade professionals: barmen, sommeliers, liquor stores, restaurant owners, chefs, traders, wholesalers, importers, and agents who can attend by invitation only. In 3 years, it has become the true rendezvous of the spirits profession.

Aside from industrial producers, there are still true artists, driven by their passion for utmost quality, whose will is to elaborate the best possible spirits. That is how this Spirit’ movement started 2 years ago. The first initiative was to launch a trade show for professionals. It was in November 2001, in the Prince of Wales Hotel. Since then, the success has kept growing and some 450 visitors attended this one day 2003 edition, held in another luxury environment, a splendid 700 square meters ballroom from 1924, in the heart of Paris.

The best distilleries in France gathered to offer their exquisite spirits to the most distinguished and demanding palates. Indeed, among the visiting professionals you could meet top barmen, sommeliers and chefs from many starred restaurants, most of the best tables in Paris, including Lasserre, Baltimore, Pierre Gagnaire, Plaza Athénée, Meridien, Concorde, Jules Verne, Meurice, Ritz, Carré des Feuillants, l’Aiguière, 59 Poincaré, Scribe, Crillon, Bastide Odéon, Bistrot Papillon, Meridien 25, Park Hyatt, Bistrot du Sommelier, Relais d’Auteuil, Petrossian, Stor, Le Dôme, St-James, Copenhague, Maison de la Truffe or Warwick together with buyers from such famous companies as Hediard, Fauchon, Auchan, Bon Marché, Lavinia, Nicolas, Servair, Concorde Hotels, Verger de la Madeleine, Augé, France Boissons or Au Bon Plaisir and many journalists from the gastronomy press.

All the families of French spirits were present in 2003, from the famous Cognac to the lesser known white fruit spirits, and including Armagnac, Calvados or Rhum: Armagnac Castarède, Bas Armagnac Francis Darroze, Domaine de Boingnères, Château de Briat, Château de Laubade, Château de Neguebouc, Château de Lacquy, Calvados Christian Drouin, Château du Breuil, Domaine Dupont, Calvados Roger Groult, Calvados Morin, Cognac Godet, Cognac Maxime Trijol, Cognac Louis Bouron, Cognac Estève, Distillerie Artisanale Bertrand, Distillerie Peureux Griottines, Chantal Comte Diffusion, Distillerie Neisson, Rhum La Mauny, Trois Rivières, Rhum Clément. The vast majority of them are family companies, some going back as far as the beginning of the 18th century, and all of them perpetuate this inherited tradition of excellence.

The Spirit's Website
For those not lucky enough to attend the show in Paris, you can still share a virtual experience (but of course you will lack the tasting!) by going to the www.spirit2003.org website to visit the show and know more about the exhibitors, their products, their agents and importers.

The next edition of this show will be in November 2004 in Paris. For these interested in coming, do not hesitate to contact your favourite magazine, Food&Beverage International or email Mike at HYPERLINK mailto:mwalsh@fbworld.com to receive all the necessary information.