The 41st annual Italian trade fair dedicated to wine, Vinitaly, closed on April 2nd in Verona, leaving a lasting sense of satisfaction among producers, buyers, importers and journalist. “The outcome is very positive,” said Veneto-based producer Gianni Zonin. “Because this is also a Vinexpo year, we thought Vinitaly would be less intense; but instead it grew even bigger compared to 2006 and had a greater presence of foreign operators and trade which is the result we wanted.”
The number of visitors to the five-day fair held each year in Verona, increased by 4% over last year, bringing the total number to 150,000. The number of foreign visitors increased by 15% over 2006, totaling 38,000 buyers and agents representing more than 100 countries. Delegations from India, China and other emerging wine markets were visible throughout the fair. Also present were 2,600 accredited journalists from 52 countries and 4,300 producers from 30 countries.
Nick Hucknall, lead singer of Simply Red who also makes wine on Sicily’s Mount Etna visits the Wine Enthusiast stand with Italian Editor Monica Larner (center) and enologist Salvo Foti (right).
At almost 1 million square feet, Vinitaly is the world’s biggest wine trade show in terms of exhibitors and overall visitors. Vinexpo, the second largest wine fair held every two years in Bordeaux, registered 2,370 exhibitors and 49,000 visitors in 2005.
Vinitaly is a fast-paced and busy work environment with loads of new wines and new vintages presented to the press and public for the first time. The first two days of the fair are open to press and trade only and the next two days are open to the public allowing producers and consumers to meet. The fifth day is generally dedicated to restaurateurs.
Some of the highlights of this year’s Vinitaly included a guided tasting by enologist Riccardo Cotarella with wines from seven Italian regions and a presentation by Lodovico Antinori and Michel Rolland regarding the new Tenuta di Biserno project in coastal Tuscany.
Last Updated: May 4, 2023
