Wines News & People
2009 VinItaly
Commentary by Daniel Lim.
2009 VinItaly. Images courtesy of Terry and Fabri from Italy.
Towards the end of the event on the third day, the organizers claimed an increased attendance with some 90,000 visitors at this annual show, with 35% of them outside Italy. The organizers had also claimed exhibitors were highly satisfied and potential business contacts were made, which may lead to agreements and more Italian wines exported overseas.
The organizers did also politely complimented Korean-born but Hong Kong based Jeannie Cho Lee MW, who contributed well to the event whose activities has also lead her to be one of the best Italian wine ambassadors.
One of event’s key highlights included, 150 years of Gaja with British wine journalist, Jancis Robinson MW whom led a sold out tasting which served fine wines such as Gaia & Rey 1994, Darmagi 1997, Conteisa 1996, Sperss 1989, Sorì San Lorenzo 1988 and Barbaresco 1964. Proceeds from this event were donated to charity. Other events worth visiting was Taste Italy, a series of guided tasting and networking activities, plus Welcome Back Brunello!. Welcome Back Brunello! served the 2004 vintage where participants were able to taste wines from Brunello di Montalcino and so forth.
With technological improvement and increased in wine production, the Italian winemakers are now looking for newer markets. This is so as the organizers reported Italy now ranks second after France, and ahead of South Africa and Spain in production capabilities and wine exports. Prospects over the next 5 years in the Chinese wine markets are good, with the promise of promoting “Premium” and “Super-Premium” wine labels in Hong Kong, Singapore and China. Despite competition from traditional French and Australian players, the Italians still see the thirsty Asian market as the next magnet for Italian wines after the United States, and Europe where wine sales and consumption figures had been declining.
Wine enthusiasts, buyers and consumers can now look forward to visiting VinItaly closer to home. Citing Kami no Shizuku’s popularity as one of the main promoters of Italian wines in Asia, the organizers will bring the show, abeit on a smaller scale to Asia – China, Japan and Singapore. VinItaly World Tour will be held on 4th November in Hong Kong, followed by 5th and 6th November in Shanghai, and finally 25th November 2009 in Tokyo. The event will held in Singapore on 21st to 22nd January 2010.
For more information about VinItaly’s program and queries, please email support@veronafiere.it or visit their website at www.vinitaly.com.