Change of atmosphere : after four years at the Cité des Arts in Saint-Denis, Vinocité was held this year, from November 9 to 11, on the Garden of Eden website, at the Hermitage. With an attendance record of 9,000 visitors, this new formula called the Jardin Gourmand is also the one where the offer, between revisited local products, innovations and rums, for the first time represented more than half of the 102 exhibitors.
Moving from North to West, Vinocité has very logically broadened its audience by choosing this strategic location. Newcomers were added to the faithful, including tourists. A boon especially for the Petit Marché, first step of the route after entry. In a sunny atmosphere, he introduced new ways of artisanal agri-food processing in Reunion Island. We noted the large representation of the departmental brand 100% La Réunion on the products exhibited.. Obviously, this Little Market takes place, From now on, among the unmissable annual events for local production. Alongside wine merchants and breweries, where we also noticed a beautiful representation of péi beers, the second “Réunionno-Réunionnais” pole was located in the space devoted to spirits. More exhibitors and, Above all, a predominantly local offering has set the new tone for Vinocité. All the distilleries of Reunion had their stand. Vinocité thus becomes the first place to discover the full range of rums and arranged rums from Reunion Island..
A turning point for the show
“This edition marks a turning point in the history of the show which aims to create a conducive space to highlight the best liquid productions and imports and the terroir and gastronomic know-how thanks in particular to the agreements that can be made between the two worlds to create unique gourmet moments”, underlined the two organizers, Michael Dionysus, founder of the Maestro agency, et Thierry Kasprowicz, food critic, author of the Kaspro Guide and president of the Reunion Sommeliers Association.
The Vinocité competition
Chaired by journalist François-Régis Gaudry, host of the radio show We will taste on France Inter, and composed of Gwilherm de Cerval, food journalist, sommelier and author specializing in wine, Hugo Riboulet, young chef winner of the 14th season of Top Chef in 2023, et Thierry Kasprowicz, the jury chose : Price Food Kèr Market : Coco Passion (Corinne Romeder) for the Passion Fruit Delight jam ; Price Food Chef : Kevin Rigaud-Diaz (restaurant La Parenthese) for his tuna dish, sucrine, peppercorns ; special jury prize : The Traveler's Tree (Lydie Béasse) for its toothfish and goat pepper rillettes. Prizes awarded by Gwilherm de Cerval : Drink’er price Local brewery : Gayar for its kaffir lime beer ; Drink’er price Local spirits : Payet & River for its agricultural rum ; Drink’er Cuvée du Salon price : the Wines of Alizé with its windmill Les Thorins from the Élisa Guérin estate.
