Held close to Meininger’s headquarters in Neustadt/Weinstraße, the event brought together 100 of the world’s finest producers such as Chateau Latour, Domaime Faivelay and Guigal; Pol Roger and Krug; Bodegas Muga, R. Lopez de Heredia and Dominio de Pingus; Biondi-Santi and Bruno Giacosa; Bründlmayer, J.J. Pruhm and Wittmann. The audience was made up of top restaurateurs and retailers sommeliers from Germany, Austria and Switzerland as well as wine service professionals including Meilleur Sommelier du Monde, Marc Almert of Hotel Baur Au Lac, Zürich; Stéphane Gass of Hotel Traube Tonbach, Baierbronn; Alexander Koblinger of Döllerer, Salzburg; and Lukas Gerges of Restaurant St. Hubertus, St. Kassian.
Numbers were strictly limited to 250 tasters who, without exception, they accepted the waiting time at the entrance checks and beforehand at the test stations with great understanding.
This year the focus was clearly on ‘core Europe’ with exhibitors from Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Austria. The participants enjoyed being able to exchange ideas and make new connections after many months. In addition to current or brand new wines, many of the producers had brought special verticals of their best wines, which provided a deep insight into their philosophy and the hallmarks of their respective terroirs.
Next year, in November 2022, there will be an additional New World focus when California becomes guest nation for the FINEST 100. For the growing number of enthusiasts who are looking forward to next year’s event, 20 June 2022 in Munich will mark the premiere of ‘100 percent Champagne’ at which 100 selected producers will pour their wines for international professionals, following a private tasting for Champagne lovers the previous day.
