First Insights into Vinitaly 2023

At the 55th edition of Vinitaly, some of the formats introduced in 2022 will be given more space. In addition, the fair management wants to achieve the highest volume of international buyers. Veronika Crecelius reports.

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Hall layout
Hall layout

It's likely to be a little more crowded than 2022, with 40% more buyers than last year's Veronafiere expected at Vinitaly. The increase is also thanks to the Vinitaly Roadshow with 13 stages on three continents that took place in the run-up.

Vinitaly has become a brand that operates far beyond the fair. It is the biggest promotion machine for Italian wines and relies on an enormous network of scouts looking for potential business partners worldwide through the state agency ICE - Italian Trade Agency and the international offices of the Italian Chamber of Commerce.

The management of the fair now also provides the industry with market analyses and is closely linked to the powerful producers' association Unione Italiana Vini (UIV).
 

Almost everything the same

Visitors will find the regions in the usual halls, and most of the wineries will also keep their stand numbers. However, there are changes in the two new formats that were introduced last year. Vinitaly Mixology has moved from the pavilion at Hall 11 to the second floor of the main Palexpo building, where Lombardy also holds court. Exhibitors are spirits and liqueur producers who draw on the craft of the Bartenders Group Italian association. The professionals mix cocktails and long drinks, also with wine. Seminars will pick up on the latest trends and explain the history of ingredients.

The focus at Vinitaly is increasingly on business. Already in the previous year there were significantly fewer private visitors (Photo: Veronafiere Ennevi)
The focus at Vinitaly is increasingly on business. Already in the previous year there were significantly fewer private visitors (Photo: Veronafiere Ennevi)
Tasting programme (Photo: Veronafiere Ennevi)
Tasting programme (Photo: Veronafiere Ennevi)

Interesting programme

The daily tasting programme can be conveniently viewed via the Vinitaly app. For inspiration, here is a small selection of the events:

  • Sunday:
    On Sunday 11-11:45am, the 'Discover Piwi' seminar will take place in Sala Iris, Palaexpo, 1st floor entrance A2. From 11:30-13:00 in Sala Tulipano (Palaexpo, basement, entrance A1), the trend show 'New Trends - Wine to the moon and back' will be offered, addressing the growing environmental awareness of consumers.
     
  • Monday:
    On Monday, the Orange Wine Festival@Vinitaly does the honours, from 11am-6pm at Sala Argento in the basement of Palexpo, entrance A2. Italy's first and so far only Master of Wine Gabriele Gorelli leads the 'Grand Tasting: The identity capital: reimagining Italian whites' in English and presents exceptional Italian whites (Sala Tulipano).
     
  • Tuesday:
    On Fair Tuesday, the halls will be used primarily for seminars on viticulture and market topics. The theme of Prosecco is also on offer. The smallest Prosecco origin Asolo DOCG invites to free tastings of seven wines in the typologies Brut Nature to Dry (Hall 10, 1st floor, Sala C).
     
  • Wednesday:
    On Wednesday, from 11 am - 1 pm, you will have the opportunity to get to know wines from Italian smaller islands such as Ischia, Ponza, Mazzorbo, Lipari, Pantelleria but also from Sardinia and Sicily. Ian D'Agata will lead the tasting with 15 wines at a price of 15 euros (Sala Argento).

 

Vinitaly & the City

The supporting programme for the private wine lovers is a big party in the picture-perfect old town of Verona. In the triangle between Piazza dei Signori, Cortile Mercato Vecchio and Cortile del Tribunale, events are concentrated with music, art, readings, guided tours of palazzi and tastings.

One highlight is the presentation of the Wine Guitar made of chestnut wood from barrels by guitar maker Fabrizio Paoletti. Paoletti is an international great in the music world, his guitars are used by Bruce Springsteen, Keith Richards, Joe Walsh and many others. Tickets can be purchased for 20 euros at the entrance to the seats or online at www.vinitalyandthecity.com, where the entire programme of events is also listed.

WEINWIRTSCHAFT at Vinitaly

Italy's Best of Show Wines@Vinitaly

Our sister publication WEINWIRTSCHAFT will also be present at Vinitaly. On Monday, 3 April, in Sala A at 3 pm, editor-in-chief Clemens Gerke will present eight Italian wines from the MUNDUS VINI Spring Tasting. These are wines that were awarded Gold and Grand Gold at the Great International Wine Awards and were additionally awarded Best of Show in their category.

 

 

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