Sparkling Wine Forum Opens in Champagne

The world of sparkling wine will gather in Champagne on May 19, when the Sparkling Wine Forum 2026 opens at the Village by CA in Reims-Bezannes for a day focused on research, innovation and the economic pressures facing the sector.

The fourth edition of the forum is being held under the patronage of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine, known as the OIV, and is organized by Effevent, the company behind the VITeff trade fair. More than 200 professionals from several countries are expected to attend, including researchers, winemakers, Champagne houses, suppliers and technical experts from major sparkling-wine regions.

The program is built around conferences, master classes, tastings and networking sessions. Organizers said the discussions will address climate change, changing consumer habits, new grape varieties, international markets and recent winemaking practices. The event is aimed primarily at people who make wine, but it also seeks to bring in businesses that provide equipment and services for sparkling-wine production.

Cyril Egoroff, managing director of Effevent, said the forum comes at a difficult moment for the broader wine industry and that several sessions will examine how sparkling wines are sold and how producers can reach new markets. He said data collected by the OIV will help frame those discussions.

The forum has been designed as an international meeting point that alternates between Champagne and other major sparkling-wine regions. Its return to Champagne underscores Reims-Bezannes’ role as a center for technical exchange in a category that continues to face pressure from shifting demand, climate concerns and competition across global markets. The event is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.