Gearing up for Vinitaly 2023

This year’s Vinitaly event, which takes place in Verona next month, is set to open its arms to buyers from around the globe. 

Vinitaly 2023, which will take place from 2 to 5 April, is gearing up for another bumper year. The event, which last year attracted 88,000 attendees from 139 countries, is set to see the Veronafiere host the wine world for the 55th time.

With features such as an area dedicated to certified organic wine production, named Vinitaly Bio, as well as the impressive Vinitaly Design section, there will also be a new event named Micro Mega Wines, which will showcase a high-calibre range of Italian wines made with unique grape varieties and smallvolume production.

Despite the event itself being very much centred on Italian wine, there will also be a dedicated area for international exhibitors located in Pavillion D. Last year’s show welcomed approximately 4,100 exhibitors from 39 countries, and a similarly global mix is expected this year.

Speaking about exhibiting at the show, Casa Vinicola Bosco Malera’s managing director Paolo Lasagni tells the drinks business: “Vinitaly will once again be a great opportunity to meet domestic customers, which still represent an important market share for Italian wines.” Lasagni explains how, in addition, he is “expecting a good presence of European and international buyers, who are fully aware of the wider range of wines Italian producers can bring to Vinitaly”. And he says: “New-vintage red wines will be more ready after an additional month in bottle.” It will be helpful also, says Lasagni, that “there will be a good presence of Chinese and Asian buyers, after more than two years of Covid restrictions”.

Also showcasing wines at the event will be Tutela Vini Doc Sicilia, which will have “a stand inside the Sicily Pavilion”, says Consorzio di Tutela Vini Doc Sicilia president Antonio Rallo.

Gruppo Lunelli communication and PR director Camilla Lunelli says: “During the show, you can always find Ferrari at the Trentino Pavilion, Hall 3 Stand C3.”

Riccardo Pasqua, CEO of Pasqua Wines, reminds visitors that last year it made Verona the centre of the world with an eye catching art installation that went viral within hours, and this year the producer has “some extraordinary projects to unveil again”.

Albino Armani, president of the Protection Consortium, which represents 43% of global Pinot Grigio production, outlines how the Delle Venezie DOC is a champion of an all-Italian style, and a symbol of Northeastern Italy at Vinitaly.

Consorzio Asti director Giacomo Pondini points out that “visitors will be able to taste all versions of Asti DOCG, from brut to dolce, paired with sweet and savoury pastries from the Accademia Maestri Pasticceri Italiana, to help drinkers appreciate their versatility”.

Cavit export director EMEA & Asia Andrea Nicolini says the brand’s team will be showing the full range of its still and sparkling wines, including its new vintage whites. “Visitors to the stand will be able to see and taste that Cavit offers great quality at competitive price points for each of the sales channels,” says Nicolini. He adds that Cavit will “also unveil the redesigned logo and label for our Mastri range of wine”.

Massimo Sensi, fourth-generation of the Sensi family, says that the producer’s Tuscan winery will introduce Brunello di Montalcino Officium Poggio Scudieri and the ancient native grape Pugnitello Collegonzi at the event, and will “present the Collegonzi selection from the estate winery Fattoria di Calappiano”.

According to Fabio Zenato, president of the Lugana DOC Consortium, “At Vinitaly we will give you a taste of what Lugana wine represents today, and we will invite you to visit and experience the uniqueness of our territory.”

Andrea Ruggeri, Enoitalia’s director in the UK, says: “Vinitaly has not only been the place to be seen [but it is also the place for] discussions about the world markets and the uncertain times that we all face.”

Masottina vice-president Federico Dal Bianco reveals that this year at Vinitaly the brand will have a bigger stand than previously, and is looking forward to presenting its new vintages of its flagship products, grouped under the name “R.D.O. (which stands for Rive di Ogliano)”. The company adds that “the arrival of a new vintage of R.D.O. for us has almost the same value as the launch of a new product because each wine has different specific characteristics that reflect the territory and the past year”.

Flavio Geretto, commercial director at Villa Sandi, adds: “In 2023 Vinitaly will be more and more international. So this is a big opportunity to enjoy the beauty and history of Verona with the chance to find high-level international players in the wine world.Villa Sandi also supports the programme Vinitaly Ambassadors in the World, people who can represent the Italian culture of wine all over the world.”