| The Symposium plans to bring together the leading decision makers and opinion formers from the global wine community for three memorable days in Florence. Attendees representing all aspects of the wine industry will participate in a series of panel discussions, debates, and tastings with leading figures from the world of wine, Ben McKeown, the Communications Manager of the IMW, informs delWine. They will also attend a succession of gala lunches and dinners in historic venues and wineries both in the city and in the Tuscan countryside.
South Africa’s first MW and now a resident of London, Lynne Sherriff MW is the principal organiser of the Symposium. At the formal launch in Rome yesterday, she said, “We are delighted to bring the Symposium to Italy for the first time, and in particular to the glorious city of Florence, which is surrounded by some of the world’s most wonderful wine country. Our programme is being designed to ensure that delegates are able to hear, meet, and debate with some of the most notable names in the worldwide wine trade, whilst also enjoying excellent wine and food in a region famed for its beauty, history, and artistic heritage.”
Confirmed speakers include some of the world’s biggest names in winemaking, wine journalism and wine education. The Symposium will also host renowned figures from global corporations covering a wide portfolio including entertainment, technology and luxury brands.
Marchese Piero Antinori, President of the Istituto Grandi Marchi, who will be speaking at the Symposium, said, “We are delighted to welcome the Institute of Masters of Wine’s major international event to Italy for the first time. This is the culmination of the partnership between our two organisations, which has been such a success and a source of pride to us both. We are very pleased to have the opportunity to show the best of Italy and the Italian wine industry to such an important international audience.”
Istituto del Italiano Vino di Qualità Grandi Marchi, The Istituto Grandi Marchi has been an IMW supporter since 2009. It unites 19 families and brands that characterise the Italian wine-making tradition. The organization is a family of some of the most important Italian wineries who promote the culture and marketing of Italian high quality wine throughout the world. Each one of its members is highly innovative and yet very much representative of the production of its region. The members of the Istituto Grandi March (IGM) include Argiolas, Biondi Santi Il Greppo, Michele Chiarlo, Ambrogio e Giovanni Folonari, Pio Cesare, Gaja, Tenuta San Guido, Ca' del Bosco, Umani Ronchi, Carpenè Malvolti, Lungarotti, Masi, Mastroberardino, Alois Lageder, Rivera, Jermann, Donnafugata, Marchesi Antinori, and Tasca d'Almerita. Most of them are represented in the Indian market with varying presence.
Rajeev Samant of Sula Vineyards will be the flag bearer for India. Some of the other wine celebrities you might rub shoulders with are Marchese Piero Antinori (Marchesi Antinori), Olivier Bernard ( President Union des Grands Crus), Ferrucci Ferragamo (Ferragamo) Gaia Gaja (Gaja), Bill Harlan (Harlan Estate), Willi Klinger (Austrian Wine Marketing Board), Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW (The Wine Advocate), Paul Pontallier (Château Margaux) and Jancis Robinson MW.
The Institute organizes the international symposium every 4 years in different countries to discuss the topical issues that confront the industry today, as well as those that may arise in the future. It staged the previous symposium, its seventh, in Bordeaux on 24-27 June, 2010. This platform for dialogue, debate and original thinking attracted 300 delegates from 31 different countries and was the first Institute symposium to take place in France.
Tickets for the Symposium are priced at €995+IVA but there are discounts for Masters of Wine and Institute students. There will also be a significantly reduced ‘early bird’ rate for prompt booking according to Ben McKeown, Communications Manager, Institute of Masters of Wine whom you may contact at bmckeown@mastersofwine.org. For more information, and to purchase tickets, please visit www.mwsymposium2014.com or contact Alexandra Runciman at arunciman@mastersofwine.org
Subhash Arora
Tags: Italy, The Institute of Masters of Wine Symposium, Istituto Grandi Marchi, IMW, Florence, Marchese Piero Antinori, IGM, Olivier Bernard, Gaia Gaja, Bill Harlan, Willi Klinger, Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Paul Pontallier, Jancis Robinson MW |