Montpellier global days
FOOD - PEOPLE - PLANET

Program

June 23, 2026 · OPENING EVENING

The opening event will be held on June 23, 2026, bringing together local producers and prominent figures for tastings and presentations aimed at a wider audience. It will help strengthen the connection between science, the local region, and society.

Opening & Welcome

  • François PIERROT, Vice-President Global Affairs, University of Montpellier
  • Clare HART, Vice-President of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole in charge of International Outreach
  • Representative of the Occitanie Pyrénées-Méditerranée Region 

Before dinner conversation

Directed by: Didier THOMAS-RADUX – Journalist, Midi Libre, Montpellier

  • Gabriela BENICIO, Sommelier, Äponem Restaurant, Vailhan
    Michelin Sommelier Awards 2023
  • Michel BLANC, Project and Development Director, Châteauneuf-du-Pape Winegrowers’ Association, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  • Laurent CHERCHI, Executive Chef, Reflet d’Obione, Montpellier
  • Florent TARBOURIECH, Oyster farmer, Maison Tarbouriech, Marseillan

Free admission, registration required

June 24, 2026 · SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE

8:00 – Welcome coffee and registration

8.30 Opening & Welcome

  • Philippe AUGÉ, President of the University Montpellier
  • François PIERROT, Vice President Global Affairs, University of Montpellier
  • Karen LAMBERT-CORDILLAC, University of Montpellier, scientist in charge of UM-UP FOODS global collaborative platform
  • Jacques GAUTIER & Catherine RICHER, Representatives of France’s National Institute of Origin and Quality, INAO

9.00 Vine and Wine Sciences

Introduction by Hervé HANNIN, Institut Agro Montpellier – Laboratory MoISA – Head of the Wine and Vine Business Chair, Montpellier, France

Round table
Contributions of research to quality of wine and labels: International Insights

Moderators : Fabienne REMIZE, Wine sciences & Patrice THIS – Grape vine genomics and breeding

Participants

  • Luis Antonio DIAZ-GARCIA, U.C. Davis, USA
  • Benoît DIVOL, Univ. Stellenbosch, South African Grape and Wine Research Institute (SAGWRI), South Africa
  • Gerard MARTIN, South Africa Wine (SAWINE), South Africa
  • Madeline ORAVEC, Cornell Univ., USA
  • Fabienne REMIZE, INRAE, JRU SPO, Montpellier, France
  • Patrice THIS, INRAE, JRU AGAP Institut, Montpellier, France

10.30 Coffee-Tea Break & Poster session

Hall & courtyard of the Institut de Botanique – Posters by doctoral students of FOOD PhD collaborative platform

11.00 Shellfish farming & bivalve sciences

Introduction by a representative from the Mediterranean Regional Shellfish Farming Committee (CRCM), Sète (TBC)

Round table

1. What will be the role of shellfish farming in a future shaped by climate change?

2. What risks does the shellfish production sector face, and what adaptation strategies are being considered to enhance its resilience and sustainability?

3. What role do product quality labels and geographical indications play in the resilience of these sectors?

Q&A Session moderated by: Franck LAGARDE

Speakers

12.30 Lunch

Hall Charles Flahault & patio of the Institut de Botanique – Posters by doctoral students of FOOD PhD collaborative platform

14.00 Coffee SESSION

General introduction: “The internationalization of GIs in the Global South: opportunities and challenges”

by Delphine MARIE-VIVIEN, CIRAD, JRU Innovation, Montpellier, France

Introduction to Coffee : The historical influence of origin on quality

by Coline LENSEIGNE, CIRAD, JRU Innovation, Montpellier, France & Jacques AVELINO, CIRAD, JRU PHIM, Montpellier, France

Moderators : Guillaume DAVID, CIRAD, Montpellier, France et Claire ORBELL, CIRAD, Montpellier, France

Presentation: From Terroir to Trust: Building Coffee Quality in Costa Rica Geographical Indications, market differentiation and technological innovation for origin verification 

by Carlos R. ROJAS CHAVES, Instituto del Café de Costa Rica (ICAFE), Costa Rica

Presentation: Toward New Geographical Indications (GIs) for Ethiopian Coffee: Context, Challenges, and Inclusive Approaches in Limmu Coffee 

by Debele NEGASH DAGNE, University of Jimma, Ethiopia

Presentation: Reshaping Origin: A Post-Harvest Perspective on Indonesian Coffee GIs 

by Noor FEBRIANTO, Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute (ICCRI), Indonesia

15.40 Coffee-Tea Break & Poster session

Hall Charles Flahault & patio of the Institut de Botanique – Posters by doctoral students of FOOD PhD collaborative platform

16.10 Rice SESSION

Moderator: Cécile GRENIER, CIRAD, Montpellier, France

Presentation: The case of Basmati rice, the search of a link between the product and its geographical origin

by Jean-Christophe GLASZMANN & Delphine MARIE-VIVIEN, CIRAD, JRU Innovation, Montpellier, France and Deepa SINGH (TBC)

Presentation: The importance of geographical indications on rice for Thailand

by Orachos NAPASINTUWONG, Kasetsart University, Thailand

Presentation: The importance of sensorial quality evaluation in the elaboration of the geographical indication Madame Rose rice in Madagascar

by Vonimihaingo RAMAROSON, National Center for Applied Research in Rural Development, FOFIFA, Madagascar

Expert intervention : The issue of plant varieties in the PGI Riz de Camargue (France)

by François CLEMENT, Director, French Rice Center

Expert intervention: The French and European market of GI rices from all over the world

by Jean-Pierre BRUN, Marius Brun & Fils

17.30 Wrap up and Closing

Conclusion by François PIERROT, Vice-President Global Affairs, University of Montpellier

Results of the Scientific Poster Contest

18.00 Closing reception & Poster session

Courtyard of the Institut de Botanique, University of Montpellier – Posters by doctoral students of FOOD PhD collaborative platform

Register