The fifth VIMAR wine and sea fair has opened in Huelva, dedicating its opening day to Atlantic coastal wines and expanding trade ties with Portugal.
The trade gathering at the Santa Fe Multifunctional Space brought international exhibitors above 25 per cent of the total, driven by a debut delegation from the Lisbon wine region seeking cross-border commercial partnerships.
Following morning culinary demonstrations and the opening of the commercial exhibition, the afternoon programme focused on oenological knowledge and strengthening ties across the Spanish and Portuguese border.
Institutional backing and regional commerce
Regional leaders highlighted the economic importance of the fair during official opening remarks. Ana Delgado, general secretary of the Agricultural and Fisheries Management Agency of Andalusia, known as AGAPA, said the fair had to be useful for business owners and the industry making the effort to attend and present products, stressing that creating commercial and professional relationships was the primary goal.
Emiliano Cabot, provincial tourism deputy for Huelva, said the event provided essential visibility for premier local goods. Cabot noted that the fair allowed organisers to showcase top Huelva products that often lacked sufficient space at broader exhibition venues but took centre stage here.
Huelva, an Atlantic port city located near the border with southern Portugal, has long used trade events to link regional food producers with Iberian markets. The Santa Fe venue, a restored nineteenth-century municipal building, provided exhibition halls for both Spanish and foreign delegates.
Oceanic wine masterclass and caviar tasting
Afternoon events featured an exclusive culinary tasting titled The Taste of the Sea at Its Highest Expression, organised by Esencia del Mar Selección. The session explored pairings between Calvisius Caviar and local wines from the Huelva area.
Sara Morales, export director for the caviar firm, described the tasting as wonderful. Morales praised the enthusiasm of attendees, noting their strong interest in learning about the origins, background, and specific qualities of the products.
Viticulture took centre stage during an educational masterclass titled Huelva and Cadiz 3.0: Past, Present and Future of Oceanic Wines, delivered by consulting oenologist Santi Jordi. Jordi analysed the natural links between the two neighbouring Andalusian provinces, which share maritime conditions shaped by cool, humid westerly poniente winds and moisture-retaining white albariza soils.
Jordi explained that the session covered the history and future prospects of coastal wines, as well as the importance of local soils. He said producers must work and fight to place the wines of Huelva and Cadiz where they deserved to be, and praised VIMAR as a well-staged salon staffed by skilled professionals after enjoying what he called a spectacular day.
Portuguese producers and Lisbon wine tastings
Portugal held a prominent place throughout the afternoon with a tasting series led by the Regional Tourism Entity of the Lisbon Region, marking its first appearance at the fair. The Portuguese programme opened with maritime dishes from Mafra, followed by crisp white wines from the Bucelas Denomination of Origin in Loures municipality.
Carla Ferreiras, representing the Bucelas wine region, said VIMAR was an engaging event with a knowledgeable professional audience. Ferreiras described the fair as a highly rewarding experience for all participating colleagues.
The Portuguese tour also introduced fortified sweet wines from the Carcavelos Denomination of Origin in Oeiras, traditional specialities from Vila Franca de Xira, and seafood pairings from Sesimbra. The strong Portuguese turnout helped lift international exhibitors beyond a quarter of all participants at the venue.
Second day schedule and culinary programme
The two-day fair concludes on Tuesday, 27 October, with a schedule combining traditional cooking, wine analysis, and modern mixology. Morning activities begin with a seafood stew demonstration by the Islantilla Hospitality School, followed by a technical study of the native Zalema white grape by the Regulatory Council of the Protected Designation of Origin Condado de Huelva, and a pairing duel led by sommelier Marta Clot.
Afternoon sessions include a culinary demonstration by food communicator Daniel del Toro cooking with Baltimar seafood, and an inclusive cocktail workshop hosted by Omar Corral and Maribel Salas. Cross-border Iberian gastronomy continues through the Eurocity Sabor Frontera project with chefs Jossara Martins and Adrián Casado.
The fair will conclude with a final showcooking demonstration by chef Pepin Ramírez of restaurant La Belli, sponsored by the Provincial Deputation of Huelva.
