From 19 January to 23 February 2023 Vinitaly the main trade fair in the world for Italian wine production will promote itself travelling to 9 countries (12 cities, 13 stages in 3 continents: Europe, Asia and North America) which together cover two-thirds of Italy’s total wine exports.

The first stage is scheduled on 19 January in Rust (Austria) followed by Princeton (USA) on 23 January, New York (USA) 24-25 January, and Copenhagen (Denmark) also on 24 January. The calendar for February includes appointments in Chicago (USA, 2 February), Munich (Germany, 6 February), Brussels (Belgium, 7 February), Zurich (Switzerland, 8 February), London (UK, 8 February) and Cardiff (UK, 9 February). The month closes with appointments in Tokyo (Japan, 21 February) and Seoul (South Korea, 23 February), again in collaboration with institutions, the ICE-Trade Agency and the chamber of commerce system.

The 9 countries selected by Vinitaly for promotional missions cover two-thirds of the value and volume of Italian wine exports in 2022 (cumulative data as of September). According to the Uiv-Vinitaly Observatory, more than 10.5 million hectolitres were shipped (-2% compared to the corresponding period 2021), worth 3.8 billion euros (+10%). In terms of value, the USA is the leading market for Italian wine (1.4 billion euros, again in September 2022, with a 25% share of total wine sector turnover in the world), followed by Germany (851 million euros, 6% and a 15% share) and the UK (10% share, 581 million euro, with 15% growth). These three markets combined represent half the total value/volume of Italian wine exported worldwide. In general, between sparkling, semi-sparkling and bottled still wines, the latter still take the lion’s share of the 9 markets: values above 70% of the share by volume were posted in Germany, Korea, Japan and Switzerland, with a peak of 90% in Denmark. Sparkling wine gained ground over still wines in the USA (33% against 60%), but above all in the UK (43% against 55%), Belgium (38% against 59%) and Austria (31% against 46%). The highest percentages for semi-sparkling wines were posted in Austria (23% of total) and Germany (15%). On adding up the values for these 9 markets, the Observatory indicates that still wines cover 64% of export volumes, sparkling wines 28% and the rest (8%) for semi-sparkling wines.

The 55th Vinitaly (scheduled at Veronafiere 2-5 April 2023) will combine the international incoming project with a homeland tour of the main Italian wine producing companies – promises to be even more strategic in terms of business, especially through innovations linked to direct company-buyer B2B meetings, as well as an enhanced “Taste and Buy” event, with operators identified by Veronafiere’s international network of delegates in collaboration with companies. Special emphasis is also given to the digital format of the “Vinitaly Plus” platform to consolidate business relationships throughout the year; it also provides a personal agenda for meetings between buyers and producers during the event itself.