the essential
Sunday November 10 will be held the Vini'Tarn show, a meeting around the wine and gastronomy of the region, in Bout-du-Pont-de-l'Arn. This “small but very professional” show has earned a good reputation among Occitan winegrowers.
The Vini'Tarn wine fair, originally called a “wine and terroir fair”, is preparing to celebrate its 7th edition on November 10. This day, accompanied by a festive evening, has brought together a thousand people each year since 2017, around forty wine producers from across the Occitanie region. And Vini'Tarn has established itself as a particularly popular meeting place for professionals.
Not bad for this show organized in the village of Bout-du-Pont-de-l'Arn, 1200 inhabitants in the Mazamétain basin. Thierry Arnaud, communications manager at the town hall, explains how the idea for this fair came to him: “there wasn't much around wine in the department, outside of Gaillac. I was As a wine lover, I submitted the project to the mayor, who accepted. The initial idea was to highlight only the wines of Occitanie, the leading wine-growing region in the world!”
Occitania, land of wine
Only Occitan appellations, therefore, from Faugères to Corbières, including Minervois, Gaillac wines, Fitou or Saint-Chinian… The first edition, somewhat out of nowhere, brought together more than 700 visitors. Over the years, the salon, which became “Vini'Tarn”, has carved out a nice reputation, notably thanks to its high standards. “We want wines from Occitanie, but above all, we only bring together small producers. Each exhibitor who comes to the show embodies their domain, tells a story. It's this sharing that makes it work! I say to each new exhibitor who joins us that we are not at a show like in Toulouse or Bordeaux It's small, it's friendly, but it's very professional!
At Vini'Tarn, the enlightened amateur, the novice and the enthusiast will find someone to talk to. Family activities punctuate the day and each year, a “distinguished” guest brings a little something extra. There was notably Thomas Cabrol, sommelier and starred restaurateur, child of the village, and this year the comedian Jason Chicandier, figure of the “bon vivant”, will liven up the day.
Between its atmosphere, its exhibitors and “the reduced price of its stands”, Vini'Tarn enjoys great popularity among professionals. “The challenge for us, concludes Thierry Arnaud, is above all to perpetuate the meeting, because it is difficult for winegrowers today. And then, while remaining on a human scale, we would like to grow in the heart of the Tarnais!”
