Tastings at Bolgheri Consortium are a landmark event. They have kick-started my Vinitaly activities for several years now and so they did in 2015. As many of you know, Bolgheri is a DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) in Tuscany’s coastal Maremma region. It first rose to prominence during the 1970s with the rise of famous “Super-Tuscan” wines like Ornellaia and Sassicaia. Here the focus is on red wine; whites taking the role of fresh ancillary complements. Bolgheri wineries have traditionally used very high proportions of international grapes, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, labelling their wines as simply “Vino da Tavola” (Table Wine). These wines have always been of great and improving quality, winning global acclaim and selling for unprecedented prices, higher even than those of other Tuscany’s finest. This resulted in an increasing number of companies joining the local consortium (40 out of a total of 52) and Italian authorities awarding Bolgheri its own DOC in 1994.

Lately, Bolgheri as well as the entire Italian wine industry, mourned the loss of Giacomo Tachis, an
eminent winemaker at the forefront of a decisive quality turn-around for Italian wine in the 1980s and consultant to several top Italian estates, headed by Tenuta San Guido, producing world-acclaimed Sassicaia. An article on this event was recently published on gourmettino.com

Bolgheri red wines are produced generally from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. Other grapes, such as Syrah and Petit Verdot, but also Sangiovese (Tuscany’s distinctive vitis vinifera) are sometimes included, with interesting results. Vermentino is currently the most popular white grape, with Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier providing for a white international dimension.

A brief explanation of Bolgheri’s wine classification will ease quality understanding by the reader. White wines are labelled Bolgheri Bianco, while for reds there is a quality ladder. At the bottom of the red appellation there is Bolgheri Rosso DOC (maximum yield 90 q/ha, released only after September 1st of the year following harvest), then the next step is Bolgheri Superiore DOC (maximum yield 80 q/ha, aged for at least 2 years starting from January 1st of the year following harvest and for at least one year in oak barrels). The quality apex is coherently represented by Tenuta San Guido’s Sassicaia (from “sasso”, meaning stone in Italian), a wine with an assigned special DOC: Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC (minimum 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, maximum yield 70 q/ha, aged for at least 2 years starting from January 1st of the year following harvest and for at least 18 months in 225 l. barriques).

Tasting Bolgheri wines at Vinitaly 2015 confirmed the constant improvement on average of wines from this region, as well as the notable excellence offered by wineries leading the pack and acting as sources of reference and inspiration for most of the rest. Moreover, I could ascertain the increasing competence of such producers in handling international grape varieties, Cabernet Franc in particular, and merging them with a solid Tuscan soul. I will list here below the wines that have starred in Vinitaly’s 2015 Bolgheri tasting, grouping them according to denomination (DOC):

BOLGHERI BIANCO
– Donna Olimpia Bianco 2012, produced by Donna Olimpia 1898: Good. Long, balanced, an interesting blend of Vermentino, Viognier and Pétit Manseng, where the latter speaks-out.
– Borgeri Bianco 2014, by Giorgio Meletti Cavallari: Good. Light colour, lively nose and mineral palate, medium body, blend of Vermentino and Viognier.
– Un Pò Più Su del Mare 2013, by Mulini di Segalari: Bizarre name on label… Interesting bio wine produced in terracotta amphorae, atypical, fresh, slightly oxidised, blend of Vermentino and Manzoni Bianco grapes.

BOLGHERI ROSSO
– Le Serre Nuove 2012, produced by Ornellaia: Extremely good (more so considering the price positioning of the wine). Berry fruit, coffee and spices, good body and persistence, balanced and elegant.
– Piastraia 2011, by Michele Satta: Very good. Sangiovese in the grapes mix. Alcohol at 13.5% well set in an overall pleasant balance, long and persistent, plums, peppers and spices.
– Villa Donoratico 2012, by Argentiera: Very good. Nice fruit, good acidity and structure, persistent, elegant and complex.
– Varvàra 2013, by Castello di Bolgheri: Very good. Subtle oak and fruit aromas, classy, velvety, rewarding.
– Felciaino 2013, by Chiappini: Quite good. Sangiovese is in the mix and you can feel it. Lovely fruit and acidity, tasty.

BOLGHERI SUPERIORE
– Ornellaia 2012, produced by Ornellaia: Excellent. Blackberries and vanilla aromas plus coffee and spices, complex, slightly mature, very refined but a little astringent and off-balanced for its class. Probable improvement with bottle ageing.
– Argentiera 2012, by Argentiera: Very good. Very complex, long, elegant, superior fruit, harmonic, long and great finish.
– Castello di Bolgheri 2011, by Castello di Bolgheri: Extremely good. Great plums and berries aromas, elegant, complex and superbly balanced. Good ageing potential.
– Millepassi 2012, by Donna Olimpia 1898: Very good. Round, juicy, intense and in equilibrium, long-lasting on the palate.
– L’Alberello 2012, by Grattamacco: Very good. Wonderful grapes integration, delicate, persistent, refined, round and intense.
– Guado al Tasso 2012, by Guado al Tasso: Very good. Remarkably Tuscan, strong rosemary aromas, good body, gratifying.
– Paleo 2011, by Le Macchiole: Interesting, 100% Cabernet Franc. Peppery and fruity, round, intense, slightly astringent, medium structure, permeated by Tuscan terroir.

BOLGHERI SASSICAIA
– Sassicaia 2012, by Tenuta San Guido: Outstanding. The best wine of the tasting and one of the very best savoured at Vinitaly 2015. This vintage 2012 sets Sassicaia above Ornellaia (the latter being slightly preferred in the previous couple vintages). Excellent precision and equilibrium, tasty, refined, superb elegance, nose of blackberries, cranberries, coffee, chocolate and spices, great body and persistence, austere, coherent, solid, classy, a pure pleasure in the mouth. A wonderful wine.

I would like to conclude my article highlighting three final points emerging from Bolgheri’s 2015 Vinitaly presentation. The first is centred on a discernible Tuscan terroir imprinting on most wines, especially 2012 Bolgheri Superiore. Terroir really emerges above international grapes in the complex mix of ingredients producing Bolgheri reds, giving them a unique and distinctive character and dimension through scents of Tuscan greeneries, scrubs, rosemary, thyme, sage and terracotta: a truly Etruscan soul is expressed by these wines.
The second point is the continuous development of Bolgheri’s productive context, with new ideas, improvements and producers moving the DOC forward. One of such new wineries is Villanoviana, freshly presented at Vinitaly 2015: its wines are worth mentioning for their quality and potential. I have tasted their good Teia Bolgheri Vermentino and San Uberto Bolgheri Superiore 2012, the latter being particularly pleasant, round and full. Hence, Villanoviana is a winery with good future prospects, with passionate Barbara and Marco Monacelli at the helm.
Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude to the Bolgheri Consortium team (headed by Riccardo Binda) for the impeccable tasting and presentation offered every year and the useful information, discussions and exchange of ideas giving me a clear and thorough taste and knowledge of Bolgheri wines.

Bolgheri DOC Team

The official name is VINO – Vinitaly Wine Club: the App dedicated to the world of Italian wine. Promoted by Vinitaly and VeronaFiere, this revolutionary App is offered to discover and purchase the finest Italian wines.
VINO – Vinitaly Wine Club App has received MEDIASTARS Trophy for the best 2015 app. The award will be presented in June 2016. Mediastars is an independent award, now in its twentieth edition, created by prominent Italian advertising agencies and media companies (visit its English web page at http://www.mediastareditore.com/mediastars/?doc=611).
VINO – Vinitaly Wine Club was launched as a “pocket” guide for more than 1.5 million visitors that have entered the “VINO a Taste of Italy” Pavilion at Expo Milano 2015, tasting more than 1,000 Italian wines in the “Biblioteca del Vino” (“Wine Library”) set there. Since then, thousands of active consumers use the app every day, making VINO the leading e-commerce App for buying Italian wine. Moreover, it is the most representative and prestigious global showcase for Italian quality wineries. VINO App is a mobile extension of Vinitaly Wine Club and it offers a unique wine experience, in order not only to buy wine quickly and easily, but also to increase and spread a greater knowledge of Italian wine. Browsing is simple and based on three key wine commerce points: Explore, Taste, Shop.
For further information visit : Vinitaly Wine Club Web http://www.vinitalyclub.com

The 2012 Au Paradis Cabernet, produced by Peter Michael Winery was recently named wine of the year by Wine Spectator, heading its latest Top 100 wine list. Wine Spectator’s leading names see US wines account for 27 entries, whereas Italian wineries had 20 wines listed, including five Brunello di Montalcino 2010. American and Italian wines lead the pack, with the US taking all the podium medals: the 2012 Quilceda Creek Cabernet from Columbia Valley (Washington) and Oregon’s 2012 Evening Land Seven Springs Pinot Noir reached second and third places respectively.

This year’ Top 100 also significantly presented the first New Zealand wine in the top 10, with Larry McKenna’s 2013 Escarpment Kupe Pinot Noir coming seventh. It was one of four Kiwi wineries in the list, together with Cloudy Bay, Felton Road and Kumeu River.

Last year’s emphasis on Douro (Portugal) is confirmed by Wine Spectator, as four of such wines are currently listed. The Iberian Peninsula proudly presents also two Spanish Ribera del Duero wines. Other wines included in Wine Spectator’s new “Hall of Fame” come from various prominent wine-producing countries, such as France, Germany, Greece, Chile, Argentina, Australia and South Africa.

Giacomo Tachis, has died on the first weekend of February in San Casciano Val di Pesa (Tuscany) where he lived. This is a great loss for Italian wine.

Tachis was an Italian winemaker who had a fundamental role in producing some of Italy’s most prestigious wines, especially Super-Tuscans, pioneering the use of Cabernet Sauvignon near the Tuscan coast. He influenced the recovery of Italian fine wine in the 20th century. For instance, he was in charge for production of Sassicaia, Tignanello and Solaia within Antinori’s fine wine stable.

Born in 1933 in Piedmont, he studied oenology in Alba. Tachis “belongs to that small, select group who changed the course of Italian wine”, wrote Richard Baudains in the Decanter magazine feature that accompanied his Decanter Man of the Year 2011 award.

Tachis always emphasized the need for balance, authenticity and terroir in wine, no matter what grapes would be used. This underlines his coherence in dealing with Cabernet Sauvignon within a Tuscan framework.

Tachis’ legacy as a winemaker continues to loom over the Italian wine world. And many of the labels that he created, such as Sassicaia and Tignanello (Tuscany), Turriga and Terre Brune (Sardinia), to name just a handful are still widely considered to be among Italy’s best.

On February 8th, Veronafiere (Vinitaly’s organising institution) announced that this year’s Vinitaly, on its 50th year of activity, will dedicate a memorable tasting in honour of Giacomo Tachis. This event, will be this year’s most important tasting held at Vinitaly (April 10th-13th) and will be centred on Tachis and his wines: 50 years of Italian wine renaissance. Giovanni Mantovani, director of Veronafiere (Vinitaly’s organising institution), said that the tasting will be led and illustrated by those producers who had the honour of working with him.

We look forward to this event and to report on this great winemaker and his landmark wines.

World-famous wine critic Robert Parker and his team published a round-up list of their top wine picks from last year. These new wine releases from 2015 have been judged by the Wine Advocate squad as the “most exciting based on absolute Quality, Singularity and Hedonistic / Intellectual appeal. In no particular order, these wines all represent the pinnacles of greatness while spanning a broad range of countries, regions, grapes and styles”. These wines have been selected from over 30,000 tasting notes produced by the American wine guru and his aides-de-camp. In this collection of oenological excellence figures account for 21 white and sparkling wines and 29 reds. Out of the 50 total labels, 11 are American, 19 French and 6 Italian.

Whites

2013 Kongsgaard Chardonnay The Judge, Napa, California, USA
2013 Aubert Chardonnay Eastside, Russian River, California, USA
2013 Fontaine Gagnard Batard Montrachet Grand Cru, Burgundy, France
2013 Domaine Raveneau Grand Cru Valmur, Chablis, France
2014 Kumeu River Mate’s Vineyard Chardonnay, New Zealand
2012 Chateau Haut-Brion Blanc, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
2014 Morlet Family Vineyards La Proportion Doree, Sonoma, California, USA
2013 Schäfer-Fröhlich Stromberg Riesling GG, Nahe, Germany
2013 Markus Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese *** (Golden Capsule), Mosel, Germany
2012 Schloss Gobelsburg Riesling Tradition, Austria
2012 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Grand Cru Rangen de Thann Clos St Urbain, Alsace, France
2014 Sheldrake Point Winery Riesling Ice Wine, Finger Lakes, New York, USA
2007 Domaine Macle Château Chalon, Jura, France
2014 Domaine Huet Vouvray le Mont Sec, Loire, France
2014 Sadie Family Mev Kirsten Old Vine Series Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa
2014 M. Chapoutier Ermitage l’Ermite Blanc, Hermitage, France
2013 Tenuta dell’Ornellaia Bianco Ornellaia,Bolgheri, Italy
2011 Domaine Sigalas Nychteri, Santorini, Greece
NV Equipo Navazos La Bota de Amontillado Bota A.R. 49, Jerez, Spain
2006 Ca’ del Bosco Franciacorta Cuvée Annamaria Clementi Brut Riserva, Lombardy, Italy
NV Egly-Ouriet Blanc de Noirs Brut Les Crayères (disgorged Nov 2012), Champagne, France

Reds

2012 Bevan Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon McGah Vineyard, Napa, California, USA
2012 Lokoya Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder, Napa, California, USA
2012 Harlan Estate Proprietary Red Wine, Napa, California, USA
2012 Château Haut-Brion, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
2012 Château La Violette, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France
2012 Betz Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon le Parrain, Washington, USA
2013 Viña Seña, Aconcagua, Chile
2013 Per Se La Craie, Mendoza, Argentina
2013 Achaval Ferrer Malbec Finca Altamira, Mendoza, Argentina
2013 Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair La Romanee Grand Cru,Burgundy, France
2013 Domaine Duroché Chambertin Clos de Bèze Grand Cru,Burgundy, France
2012 Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Noir Original Vines Reserve, Oregon, USA
2013 Richard Rottiers Moulin a Vent Climat Champ de Cour, Beaujolais, France
2007 Vietti Barolo Riserva Villero, Piedmont, Italy
2010 Elio Grasso Barolo Gavarini Vigna Chiniera, Piedmont, Italy
2010 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova, Tuscany, Italy
2010 Il Marroneto Brunello di Montalcino Madonna Delle Grazie, Tuscany, Italy
2012 Cayuse Syrah Bionic Frog, Washington, USA
2014 Lismore Estate Syrah, Western Cape, South Africa
2013 l’Aventure Winery Estate Cuvee, Paso Robles, California, USA
2013 Château Beaucastel Hommage à Jacques Perrin, Châteauneuf du Pape, France
2011 Guigal Cote Rotie la Landonne, North Rhone, France
2013 Domaine Anne Gros Minervois les Carretals, Languedoc, France
2010 Henschke Hill of Grace, Eden Valley, Australia
2012 Jim Barry The Armagh, Clare Valley, Australia
2012 Clarendon Hills Astralis, McLaren Vale, Australia
2013 Álvaro Palacios L’Ermita, Priorat, Spain
2012 Pingus, Ribera del Duero, Spain
2012 Dona Maria Alicante Bouschet Jb, Alentejano, Portugal

This year’s Salon des Vins de Loire (Loire Valley’s Wine Trade Fair) will take place on Monday 1st, Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd of February at Angers’ Exhibition Centre.

The key objective for this year’s fair is to encourage discovery, encounters and exchanges between Loire Valley’s growers, traders, wine-merchants, co-operatives and French & international buyers, thus promoting sales. Emphasis will be placed on tastings.

The Loire Valley Wine Trade Fair was founded in 1987 by the Angers Exhibition Centre. Exclusively for professionals, it is a chance for French and international visitors to get a preview of the year’s vintages, before they go on sale.

Over three days, nearly 400 producers from Pays Nantais, and the Anjou-Saumur, Touraine and Loire Centre regions, will offer to the expected 9000 professional visitors an opportunity to discover all the richness and freshness of the Loire region through a high quality and diverse range of wines: red, rosé, white, sweet and dry, still and sparkling.

For more information visit http://www.salondesvinsdeloire.com

Italy’s biggest wine tradeshow, Vinitaly, ended successfully its 2015 edition in Verona, on March 25th. Succinctly, its four days of activity, have produced the following results: 150,000 visitors, more international buyers than ever from 140 countries (20 up from 2014), over 2,600 journalists from 46 countries and crucial revival of domestic market activity led by Horeca and retail operators.

“The result achieves the goal that we had set ourselves. Thanks to an increase of 34% in investments dedicated to incoming promotions and cooperation with the Italian Ministry of Economic Development, the Italian Trade Agency-ICE and the Italian Ministry for Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies, we boosted further the already high involvement of foreign buyers,” said Ettore Riello, President of Veronafiere, Vinitaly’s organising structure.

Visitors totalled about 150,000, but compared to the past, attendance was greater from the Far East, especially from Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia. Mexico and Africa also grew, with interesting new entries such as Cameroon and Mozambique. Even North Africa performed well, particularly Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco both for wine and olive oil (at simultaneous Sol&Agrifood tradeshow hosted within Vinitaly).

“US and Canadian markets together account for 20% of international visitors totalling 55,000 people. German-speaking countries such as Germany, Switzerland, Austria confirmed their status as the most relevant export area with 25% of overall attendance while the United Kingdom took third place with 10%, followed in numerical terms by buyers from Scandinavian countries and Benelux,” said Giovanni Mantovani, Veronafiere’s CEO & Director General.

In terms of attendance by countries, there has been impressive growth by France, ahead of Japan, then China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, followed by Russia (the only country with shrinking presence from last year, the outcome of the current difficult geopolitical situation). Brazilian business visitors have grown considerably. Attendance from other European Union countries also improved, in particular from Poland and Romania. This edition of Vinitaly also saw the return of a degree of optimism on the domestic market, with operators arriving from all over Italy, representing Horeca and large-scale retail distribution channels. Finally, the event received interest and world-wide attention through the work of more than 2,600 journalists from 46 countries.

A selection of comments by leading wine production companies, traders and distributors follows.

WINE PRODUCERS COMMENTS:

Zonin 1821 – Domenico Zonin
“An effervescent Vinitaly. The home market performed well with the slight economic recovery bearing some fruit. Good attendance by buyers.”

Mastroberardino – Piero Mastroberardino
“Plenty of business with complete coverage of classical markets and impressive attendance on Monday by national clients. We even had contacts with operators from non-mature and developing markets approaching wine with some interest.”

Frescobaldi – Leonardo Frescobaldi
“I’m hearing very positive comments and, over and above a great deal of satisfaction, I also note the entry of new young producers and this is a good thing. We are especially pleased by the quality of visitors, who are increasingly sensitive to the origin of wine.”

Masi – Alessandra Boscaini
“Very good international attendance despite coming after Prowein and Vinexpo that will be held in June. It was a good Vinitaly for us, with considerable interest in Valpolicella wines and the chance to celebrate Campofiorin, the wine invented by my grandfather 50 years ago.”

Banfi – Rodolfo Maralli, marketing and sales manager
“We had a truly huge turnout, perhaps the best ever in terms of quality, including Sunday. Such numbers every year are a great result for Vinitaly.”

Umani Ronchi – Michele Bernetti
“Vinitaly is the trade fair with a focus on Italian wine where the whole world converges. It was an important and very satisfying event for us.”

Biondi Santi – Tancredi Biondi Santi
“We saw many importers on Sunday, while Monday was attended by catering operators. We worked very hard and reaped many rewards from Asian countries, China, the United States and Latin America.”

Ferrari – Camilla Lunelli
“There was positive attendance by foreign buyers. Even the Italian market performed well, with retail chains and high-level catering. OperaWine was an excellent preview.”

Tommasi – Dario Tommasi
“Many useful contacts, very good attendance by Italian and foreign operators, especially Asians – a sign that Italian wine is growing in an interesting way even in the East. We also saw some African importers, who visited by our stand and have trade agreements with them. The show was also a great opportunity to launch the new family project in Montalcino, following the recent acquisition of Fattoria Casisano.”

Marchesi di Barolo – Valentina Abbona
“A steady stream of operators from every country in the world. Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Kazakhstan, Emirates and many others: with genuine interest combining culture and passion with business.”

Antinori – Albiera Antinori
“Vinitaly went well, with many people and a good mix between Italians and foreigners.”

FOREIGN BUYERS COMMENTS:

Lory Polep, Vice-Presidente Polep Distribution Services – USA
“Vinitaly was an absolutely interesting experience. I feel that there were many occasions dedicated to developing Italian wine culture and also an excellent opportunity to meet and work with other professionals.”

Marne Anderson, Vice President of Wine Sales Four Star Distributors -Memphis, Tennessee USA
“I think that Vinitaly is a truly spectacular event. It’s my first time here and I can say that the exhibition really stood out for its professionalism, design and organization. It Is a great opportunity to expand knowledge and awareness of Italian wine.”

Paul Farrell – Fine Wines Department, Ontario Monopoly
“The wine market in Ontario continues to grow, particularly in the premium sector. Canadians are changing their habits, from beer and spirits towards wine. This is generating a continual increase in the wine business and Italian wine is definitely part of this growth.”

Clinton Ang – Corner Stone, buyer from Singapore (the main importer from South-East Asia)
“The Italian wine market in Singapore is enjoying a very positive period. Our country has discovered Italian food and the quality of wine and food from all over Italy. All regions can offer excellent wine production and can meet all needs, as well as being ideal pairings from any dish. During my trip to Verona, I am representing about 27 regions in South-East Asia from Singapore to Hong Kong.”

Radhika Ganaphaty Ojha, Veronafiere delegate in South-East Asia
“South East Asia has seen an increase in Italian market share thanks not the least to the opening of many Italian restaurants. Knowledge and quality of Italian wine is widespread and demand for certain labels often comes directly from consumers. We carried out a wide-ranging survey, interviewing various operators in the ho.re.ca sector, restaurants and consumers, and the feedback was unanimous: everyone is very interested in Italian wine. Initially, delegations from South-East Asia visiting Vinitaly can from the more developed countries – Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia – but in recent years the trend has seen new emerging markets interested in imports – such as Brunei, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia – which are currently investing heavily in the tourism sector with increasingly important demand for Italian wine.”

Wong Yin-How – Managing Director Vintry, buyer from Malaysia
“The Malaysian wine market is growing by about 10% and Italian wines are gaining new market shares. The best-selling wines are currently those from Tuscany but I decided to visit Vinitaly to seek new wine-makers producing fresh white wines. I can definitely say it has been a constructive experience.”

Today, March 21st 2015, OperaWine held its fourth edition in Palazzo Della Gran Guardia, Verona, Italy.
OperaWine has become the successful premier happening to Vinitaly (Italy’s biggest wine tradeshow) also taking place in Verona, in March 22nd-25th.
Veronafiere (the organising body behind both events), Vinitaly itself and the prestigious magazine Wine Spectator, presented “OperaWine, Finest Italian Wines: 100 Great Producers” (www.operawine.it); an exclusive event aimed at appraising the distinctive characteristics of Italian wine. OperaWine offers international wine professionals the opportunity to try and get to know the best wines presented by Italy’s finest 100 producers selected by Wine Spectator.

OperaWine 4th edition, Verona, Italy
Piazza Brà, Palazzo Della Gran Guardia
Saturday March 21st 2015
operawine.it | winespectator.com | vinitalyinternational.com

Vinitaly this year will put on show its 49th edition, scheduled 22-25 March 2015 in Verona (ww.vinitaly.com). It will tackle developments in international trade in the light of the devaluation of the euro, which could well boost Italian and European wine exports. Buyers have been directly invited by Veronafiere (the organising body) from Germany, Switzerland and Austria, countries where Vinitaly International has also developed specific promotion initiatives; delegations will arrive from the USA, as well as Canada, including one from Ontario, not to mention Russia, the Adria Alps area (Slovenia, Croatia and some regions of Germany, Austria, Hungary), Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Denmark, Portugal, Czech Republic, Hong Kong, Asean countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia), South Korea, China, South Africa, Cameroon, Latin America, United Kingdom, Mozambique, Uzbekistan, Colombia, Argentina, Scandinavian and Baltic Countries, France, Spain, Romania, Bulgaria, India, Egypt, Serbia, Poland. Australia and Japan will be the focus of specific meetings dedicated to companies keen to export to these markets.

“These operators are selected from among the most important not the least in collaboration with ICE, the Italian Foreign Trade Agency,” says Giovanni Mantovani, CEO & Director General of Veronafiere, “in order to develop even more business.” In 2014 the tradeshow received 54,670 international visitors from 119 Countries, out of a total 155,109 (36.41%).

All exhibitors take part in Vinitaly to find new business contacts. However, targets differ in relation to each company’s size. A survey by Wine2Wine – Vinitaly’s B2B Observatory – showed that wineries with turnover under €100,000 prefer to look to more mature markets, particularly the EU and the USA; larger companies with more resources available look forward to new wine markets and new wine enthusiasts.
Thanks to the wide range of countries represented by invited delegations, Veronafiere is able to organise B2B appointments for every specific requirement. The International Buyers’ Lounge will offer guest buyers in the Taste & Buy Vinitaly initiative, meetings with exhibiting companies.
The International Buyers’ Lounge is located in the Castelvecchio Gallery between Halls 2 and 3. It will be the landmark for Veronafiere’s guest delegations and for all international buyers.

Within slightly more than a month Vinitaly will open its doors in 2015 to wine professionals coming from all over the world. The event is set to occur from March 22nd to March 25th, 2015. Vinitaly is Italy’s biggest and by far most important wine tradeshow. Traditionally based in Verona, and organised by VeronaFiere (a major Italian and European exhibition centre with international status since 1977 and operations abroad since 1998).

Vinitaly has always been at the forefront of trends, advances and trade in Italian and international wine markets. Last year, Vinitaly inaugurated two new shows: Vininternational (bringing all international exhibitors together under one roof) and Vinitalybio (an exhibition focusing on certified organic wines). In 2104 it also set up the International Buyers’ Lounge dedicated to professional business meetings. Moreover, it begun to build awareness and appreciation of Italian wines worldwide through “Vinitaly International Academy”, a wine educational body supervised by Ian D’Agata, a respected wine journalist and an Italian wine specialist.

Numbers for Vinitaly last year were as follows: 4,111 exhibitors from 22 countries, 155,109 trade operators of which 36.41% from 119 countries, 1,597 journalists from all over the world, exhibition space of 91,140 square metres, joined by facilities dedicated to wine tasting amounting to over of 100,000 square meters.

In 2013 Vinitaly International was created to act as ambassador and partner of Italian wine business in foreign markets, while Vinitaly Wine Club saw the light to act as innovative promotional and online sales platform for the best Italian labels and selected collections of premium wine. Moreover, in the same year, Vinitaly and the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux (UGCB) signed an agreement whereby the dates of their respective events will be coordinated for four years to allow buyers and media from all over the world to optimise attendance at these two important international wine exhibitions. Hence, future dates for Vinitaly will be as follows: 22-25 March 2015, 10-13 April 2016, 26-29 March 2017.

Another relevant feature was added back in 2012, placing limelight on products from organic and biodynamic viticulture. This new event received the name of “ViViT-Wines, Winegrowers and Terroirs”.

Let us now see in greater detail what Vinitaly has in store for 2015.

Promotional activities on the go also in 2015 will be: Vinitaly International, Opera Wine, Vinitaly International Academy and Vinitaly Wine Club. All this will be set off by competitions designed to reward and promote quality. The International Packaging Competition, open to all types of spirits (liqueurs, whisky, rum, gin), the Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition and the International Wine Competition, which in 2015 will exceptionally take place after Vinitaly (12- 16 April) will be structured as a preview for Milan’s Expo.

Organisers have decided to increase synergy between Vinitaly, Sol&Agrifood and Enolitech exhibitions, aiming to offer wine professionals a comprehensive overview of Italian produce including quality wine and olive oil, food traditions and innovative technologies and technical equipment; a uniqueness that hallmarks the differences between Italy and the rest of the world.

The declared aim is to support the wine sector, and the Italian food industry in general, by ensuring new impetus for exports which, despite enjoying positive results in recent years, must still find new outlets to ensure growth and keep ahead of competitors. In nearly half a century of history, Vinitaly has promoted this mission by evolving from merely being a showcase to become a service platform for companies active throughout the year, as well as by creating Enolitech and Sol&Agrifood to ensure even better visibility for the Italian gastronomy traditions and the know-how behind the quality of Made in Italy.

“International competition is increasingly stiff,” said Giovanni Mantovani, CEO & Director General of Veronafiere presenting the 2015 edition, “but Vinitaly’s experience ensures tangible commercial results.” Corroboration comes from a survey of customer satisfaction conducted at the end of Vinitaly 2014: it emerges that, over the four days of last year’s event, 68% of foreign operators (53,000 coming from 120 countries, out of a total audience of 155,000 professionals) placed purchase orders, while 73% found new suppliers. The same survey indicates that 97% of exhibitors intend to repeat attendance this year.

Registrations are already open and seem set to confirm the trend emerging over the last two years, whereby a growing number of companies is investing resources in stands rather than merely continuing to share collective institutional spaces in order to ensure better visibility and expand contacts with buyers in Italy and abroad. Veronafiere aims to enhance attendance by qualified operators from the most important and interesting international markets. Investments in this area are also being strengthened combined with close collaboration with companies and trade associations, such as the Expo universal world fair held in Milan this year.

In fact, Vinitaly has been appointed to create and manage the Wine Pavilion at Expo Milano 2015 (“Vino – A Taste of Italy”). Italian Agriculture Minister Maurizio Martina commented the agreement saying that: “Vinitaly is a choice based on competence, experience and expertise, ensuring relevant and appropriate representation of Italian wine within the framework of Expo Milan 2015.”

Diana Bracco, President of Expo 2015 S.p.A. and Commissioner for the Italy Pavilion, added: “This agreement is crucial because another fundamental item in Italian culture and production joins the great mosaic of the Italian Pavilion at Expo 2015. In particular, wine is one of the central elements of our history and our identity. Vineyards characterise the entire peninsula and make the Italian wine sector unique in the world in terms of variety and quality. The Italy Pavilion will be the heart of the entire Expo, and the fact that the European Union has decided to locate its own exhibition space inside it, close to Italian wine, is a further opportunity enhance its appeal: consequently, wine will certainly be in the limelight it deserves.”

“Given Veronafiere’s far-reaching knowledge of the agro-food sector, we immediately felt that it was our duty to make our experience available for such an important and strategic opportunity as EXPO 2015” said Ettore Riello, President of Veronafiere.

The Wine Pavilion at Expo Milan 2015 will occupy an area of approximately 2,000 square meters and will located inside the Italy Pavilion, precisely at the intersection of the two “roads (Cardo NE and Decumanus), thereby enjoying maximum visibility in the central square of the entire Expo area.

Implementation and management of the set-up will see Vinitaly work together with the Ministry for Agricultural Policies, Padiglione Italia and Expo 2015 S.p.A with the aim of involving the entire Italian wine sector: from associations to large producer groups, from committees to distribution, and people promoting the culture of wine.

The Italian Wine Pavilion will narrate the story and the cultural tradition of the sector, with an area dedicated to “first approaches” to the world of Italian wine for millions of visitors who do not already know it, education through wine tastings and master classes, as well as the involvement of producers and testimonials. It will also guide the wine&food pairings in the specific area.
Another important focus will be wine tourism, local area culture and the beauties of Italy linked with the world of wine. There will also be a strong technological identity, to the extent of providing full-scale, interactive virtual tours to discover equipment, machinery and products for making wine, bottling and packaging. Visitors can also access the “Italian Wine Store” and its shop for direct sales of packaged products with home delivery, merchandising and wine and EXPO 2015 gadgets.