The 5th International Wine, Food, and Brandy Fair, “Wine Vision by Open Balkan,” has officially opened at the Belgrade Fair. The fair’s program director, evaluation coordinator, and wine expert, Igor Luković, noted that over the past five years, the event has successfully evolved from a vision into a reality.

– Today marks our most extraordinary opening yet. We can no longer expand quantitatively due to spatial constraints at the venue, but we can elevate the quality, and that is precisely our focus, Luković said.

Luković emphasized that new export horizons have opened up for domestic winemakers in Switzerland, China, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. This points to a market expansion far beyond traditional regional channels, highlighting the quality, recognition, and capacity of local producers to meet the standards of international buyers.

As one of Europe’s largest and most significant wine and culinary events this year, running under the slogan “One Place. The Whole World,” the fair was officially opened by Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, who invited visitors to immerse themselves in the experience, taste the wines, and forge new business partnerships.

– We have created something that speaks a universal language. This fifth edition proves that we have become one of Europe’s premier fairs for wine, brandy, and food, Čadež stated during the opening ceremony. He added that the export value of wine and alcoholic beverages has surged by 68 percent since the fair’s inaugural edition. Organizers present this figure as a testament to the event’s vital role in bridging domestic production with global markets.

The distinguished guests were also welcomed by one of the world’s most influential wine experts and critics, American wine critic James Suckling, whose team evaluates thousands of wines globally each year. He expressed that he was deeply impressed by the quality of wine in Serbia.

The opening ceremony was further graced by a performance by opera singer Ljubica Vraneš.

The fair, which runs until October 12, features 550 exhibitors from more than 30 countries.

It has brought together producers, distributors, professional buyers, experts, and wine enthusiasts from Serbia, the region, and across the globe.

Buyers and sellers from 45 nations are in attendance, with over 2,000 Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings scheduled.

More than 800 wines will be evaluated during the fair by a panel of 26 judges from 18 countries. Among them are six Masters of Wine, with a core focus on the quality and authenticity of the wines and grape varieties.

Balkan brandies (rakija) will be judged by international distillate experts from the prestigious Spirits Selection by CMB competition, while a masterclass led by Dr. Ivan Urošević will explore the evolution of Serbian rakija from a national heritage asset to a product with growing international appeal.

The professional program includes 17 masterclasses dedicated to wine and spirits, featuring 22 lecturers from 14 countries.

A special highlight this year is once again the “Food Vision” event, dedicated to regional gastronomy and hospitality. This segment was opened by Dragan Glamočić, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management in the technical mandate.

Glamočić emphasized that Serbia and the region have proven they possess the expertise, quality, and potential to stand as formidable and competitive partners in the global marketplace.

“The fair hosts over 550 wine exhibitors and more than 80 brandy exhibitors from 34 countries, alongside buyers from 49 nations and 26 of the world’s most eminent wine judges. These numbers are clear evidence that Serbia has become a key crossroads for producers, investors, and experts from all over the world,” the Minister in the technical mandate pointed out.

Visitors will have the opportunity to witness culinary competitions, food and wine pairings, masterclasses, and various other interactive activities.

The itinerary also includes a panel discussion organized by the HORES Association of Hoteliers and Restaurateurs of Serbia, addressing current trends in the hotel and catering industry.

A unique atmosphere will be brought by the “Gastro Theater,” where restaurants and hotels will prepare exquisite dishes live in front of the audience, seamlessly weaving together culinary artistry, ingredient storytelling, and the joy of dining.

Among the fair’s distinguished guests is Marco Simonit, one of the world’s leading vineyard experts, who will join James Suckling for a masterclass. Their session will center on the vineyard as the birthplace of great wine, the longevity of vines, and the vital decisions that shape a wine’s quality and identity. Suckling will also participate in a masterclass focused on whole-cluster fermentation alongside Romain Bocchio.

The fair will remain open to the public until October 12, from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with ticket prices set at 1,200 RSD per person.