Vinitaly is also the time for wine legends from around the world to be honoured for the extraordinary commitment to quality. And the 40 th anniversary roll of honour did not disappoint anybody.

A "world referendum" conducted among 2,350 professionals in 66 countries by Civilta del Bere magazine named Sassicaia by Nicolò Incisa della Rocchetta as the "Legend of Legends" of Italian wine. The "Legendary Cellar" title went to Gaja, based on the overall scores achieved by its Sorì San Lorenzo, Sorì Tildin and Sperss wines.

The referendum was conducted for the 40th Vinitaly (held in Verona on April 6-10) in collaboration with VeronaFiere, the organisers of the annual event, and Italy 's National Institute for Foreign Trade (ICE).

Twelve other wines were elected as "legends," including five 40th Anniversary Legends, of Italian oenology and two were named "Mediterranean legends" to celebrate the role of the wine-making regions of southern Italy in the rise of modern Italian wines.

The 40th Anniversary Legends are: Giulio Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore 1995, Ferrari, Fratelli Lunelli (Trentino); Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 1996, Valentini (Abruzzo); Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice 1994, Avignonesi ( Tuscany ); Masseto 1997, Tenuta dell'Ornellaia, Frescobaldi ( Tuscany ); Tignanello 1997, Marchesi Antinori ( Tuscany ).

The rofessionals - journalists, sommeliers, restaurateurs, international traders and wine stores - made these selections: Bricco dell'Uccellone 2003, Braida (Piedmont), got the Sommeliers Legend award; the Restaurateurs Legend title went to Barolo Monfortino Riserva 1998, Conterno (Piedmont); Amarone della Valpolicella 2001 from Allegrini (Veneto) got the Trade Legend award; Mazzano, Amarone della the Valpolicella 2000, Masi (Veneto) got the Journalists Legend; and Monte Lodoletta, also an Amarone della Valpolicella 2000, Romano Dal Forno (Veneto) walked away with the vote of the wine stores.

The international jury assigned two awards in the "Mediterranean Legend" category to al Taurasi Radici by Piero Mastroberardino ( Campania ) and 'Nozze d'Oro' from Sicily 's Tasca D'Almerita.